Unitarian Concept of Pithogenesis of Myocardial Infarction

Abstract

Coronary atherosclerosis, coronary thrombosis and myocardial infarction are believed to be the expressions of the same pathological process and are thus considered to represent a continum from coronary atherosclerosis through coronary thrombosis to myocardial infarction. Such stereotyped thinking has overshadowed other viewpoints which may deviate from contemporary thought and belief. It is proposed that these three processes are distinct entities which, though often associated, are neither wholly interdependent nor represent various stages of a continuum.

It is proposed, therefore, that atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction and coronary thrombosis are three distinct processes which though somewhat interdependent do not represent the facets of a continum. Atherosclerosis is a function of velocity of blood flow to which other factors such as heredity, hypoxia and hypertension contribute. Myocardial infarction is a consequence of catecholamine hyperactivity and is not due to coronary thrombosis. The latter infact ususally follows myocardial infarction complicated by radiogenic shock and is hence a consequence rather than the cause of myocardial infarction.