culprit lesion
Coronary stenosis responsible for acute coronary syndrome presentation.
Full Definition
A culprit lesion is the specific coronary artery stenosis that is responsible for an acute coronary syndrome, typically characterized by plaque rupture, erosion, or thrombosis leading to acute vessel occlusion or critical narrowing. Identification of the culprit lesion is crucial for determining the primary target for emergency intervention in patients presenting with acute myocardial infarction. The culprit vessel is usually identified through correlation of electrocardiographic changes, wall motion abnormalities, and angiographic findings including thrombus, ulcerated plaque, or TIMI flow impairment.
Usage
Usage note: Distinguish from 'target lesion' which refers to any lesion selected for treatment.
In Context
- "The mid-LAD was identified as the culprit lesion based on ECG changes and angiographic appearance." — Emergency catheterization report
- "Primary PCI was performed on the culprit lesion with staged treatment of non-culprit stenoses." — Procedure strategy note