The term myocardial infarction is derived from myocardium (the heart muscle) and infarction (tissue death due to oxygen starvation).

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI or MI) is more commonly known as a heart attack.

Myocardial infarction is a condition occurred when the blood supply to a part of the heart is interrupted. Ischemia, resulted by the heart attack, causes damage and potential death of heart tissue. It is a medical emergency, and the leading cause of death for both men and women all over the world.

Important risk factors of myocardial infarction are a previous history of vascular disease, a previous heart attack or stroke, any previous episodes of abnormal heart rhythms or syncope, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, high cholesterol level, diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, and some other.

The first symptom of myocardial infarction is presence of sudden chest pain that lasts more than 30 minutes, especially in a patient with multiple risk factors. It is often accompanied by weakness, sweating, nausea, vomiting, anxiety, and a sense of impending doom.

The laboratory tests confirming the diagnosis may be divided into 4 groups:

(1) Electrocardiogram (ECG)

(2) Serum cardiac markers

(3) Cardiac imaging

(4) Nonspecific indexes of tissue necrosis and inflammation.

The ultimate goal of the management in the acute phase of the disease is to salvage as much myocardium as possible and prevent further complications.

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