myocardial coagulative necrosis
Pattern of myocardial cell death characterized by preservation of tissue architecture with loss of cellular detail.
Full Definition
Myocardial coagulative necrosis is the characteristic pattern of cell death that occurs in myocardial infarction, where cellular proteins become denatured while the basic tissue architecture remains preserved. In this type of necrosis, cardiomyocytes lose their nuclei and cross-striations but maintain their general cellular outline, appearing as eosinophilic, homogeneous cytoplasmic shadows. The process begins within 4-12 hours of ischemia and becomes well-established by 24-48 hours. Histologically, the affected tissue shows loss of nuclei, increased eosinophilia, and eventual inflammatory cell infiltration. This contrasts with other forms of necrosis such as liquefactive necrosis, where tissue architecture is destroyed.
Usage
Usage note: Always specify 'myocardial' when describing coagulative necrosis in cardiac tissue to distinguish from similar patterns in other organs.
In Context
- "Histological examination revealed extensive myocardial coagulative necrosis with loss of nuclei and increased cytoplasmic eosinophilia." — Autopsy report
- "The zone of myocardial coagulative necrosis was surrounded by an inflammatory infiltrate consisting primarily of neutrophils." — Histopathology report