myocardial ischemia

[toothfairy2011]

Each of the following statements correctly describes myocardial infarction (MI) except one. Which one is this exception?

a) most acute MIs are caused by coronary artery thrombosis
b) acute MI is the most common cause of death in industrialized nations
c) pain from MI can usually be relieved by vasodilators such as nitroglycerin
d) thrombolytic agents such as streptokinase often limit size of infarction
e) myocardial necrosis usually begins 20-30 minutes after coronary artery occlusion

Answer: C (Booklet 1-L, 2004)

Does anyone know why nitroglycerin wouldn't relieve the pain? Is it because the tissue is already dead?

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[toothfairy2011]

Wait..I just remembered something. Please correct if this is wrong.


Stable Angina can be relieved by nitroglycerin.

Unstable angina (chest pain that occurs at rest/little exertion) suggests that the vessels are overly impaired, beyond the help of nitroglycerin.

MI is one step beyond unstable angina.

This is why nitroglycerin doesn't help.