Incomplete versus complete myocardial infarction.

Abstract

Incomplete myocardial infarction (MI), when compared with a complete MI, is characterized by a small infarct size and a large mass of viable but jeopardized myocardium within the perfusion zone of the infarct-related vessel that is manifested clinically by early recurrent infarction. The pathophysiology involves early spontaneous or thrombolytic reperfusion. Clinical (i.e., residual ischemia), electrocardiographic, and echocardiographic findings and magnitude of serum cardiac enzyme elevations should be taken into account in diagnosing an incomplete MI.