Donate Help Contact The AHA Sign In Home
American Heart Association
Circulation
Search: search_blue_button Advanced Search
Circulation. 1985;71:699-708

This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Right arrow Citation Map
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow Request Permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Falk, E.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Falk, E.
Right arrowPubmed/NCBI databases
Medline Plus Health Information
*Angina
*Heart Attack

Circulation, Vol 71, 699-708, Copyright © 1985 by American Heart Association


ARTICLES

Unstable angina with fatal outcome: dynamic coronary thrombosis leading to infarction and/or sudden death. Autopsy evidence of recurrent mural thrombosis with peripheral embolization culminating in total vascular occlusion

E Falk

Extensive microscopic examination of epicardial arteries and myocardium was performed in 25 cases of sudden death due to acute coronary thrombosis. Eighty-one percent of the thrombi had a layered structure with thrombus material of differing age, indicating that they were formed successively by repeated mural deposits that caused progressive luminal narrowing over an extended period of time. This episodic growth of the thrombus was accompanied by intermittent fragmentation of thrombus in 73% of the cases, with peripheral embolization causing microembolic occlusion of small intramyocardial arteries associated with microinfarcts. The period of unstable angina before the final heart attack was, in all but one of 15 patients, characterized by such an ongoing thrombotic process in a major coronary artery where recurrent mural thrombus formation seemed to have alternated with intermittent thrombus fragmentation. The culmination of this "dynamic" thrombotic process in total vascular occlusion caused the final infarction and/or sudden death.


This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
J Am Coll CardiolHome page
C. M. Gibson, Y. B. Pride, J. L. Buros, E. Lord, A. Shui, S. A. Murphy, D. S. Pinto, P. J. Zimetbaum, M. S. Sabatine, C. P. Cannon, et al.
Association of impaired thrombolysis in myocardial infarction myocardial perfusion grade with ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation following fibrinolytic therapy for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.
J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., February 5, 2008; 51(5): 546 - 551.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Eur Heart JHome page
Authors/Task Force Members, J.-P. Bassand, C. W. Hamm, D. Ardissino, E. Boersma, A. Budaj, F. Fernandez-Aviles, K. A.A. Fox, D. Hasdai, E. M. Ohman, et al.
Guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes: The Task Force for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Non-ST-Segment Elevation Acute Coronary Syndromes of the European Society of Cardiology
Eur. Heart J., July 1, 2007; 28(13): 1598 - 1660.
[Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Eur Heart JHome page
A. Lerman, D. R. Holmes, J. Herrmann, and B. J. Gersh
Microcirculatory dysfunction in ST-elevation myocardial infarction: cause, consequence, or both?
Eur. Heart J., April 1, 2007; 28(7): 788 - 797.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Circ. Res.Home page
A. Skyschally, P. Gres, S. Hoffmann, M. Haude, R. Erbel, R. Schulz, and G. Heusch
Bidirectional Role of Tumor Necrosis Factor-{alpha} in Coronary Microembolization: Progressive Contractile Dysfunction Versus Delayed Protection Against Infarction
Circ. Res., January 5, 2007; 100(1): 140 - 146.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Am. J. Roentgenol.Home page
S. Grabherr, V. Djonov, A. Friess, M. J. Thali, G. Ranner, P. Vock, and R. Dirnhofer
Postmortem angiography after vascular perfusion with diesel oil and a lipophilic contrast agent.
Am. J. Roentgenol., November 1, 2006; 187(5): W515 - W523.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
CirculationHome page
Y. Wang, W. Zhang, Y. Zhang, Y. Yang, L. Sun, S. Hu, J. Chen, C. Zhang, Y. Zheng, Y. Zhen, et al.
VKORC1 Haplotypes Are Associated With Arterial Vascular Diseases (Stroke, Coronary Heart Disease, and Aortic Dissection)
Circulation, March 28, 2006; 113(12): 1615 - 1621.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Eur Heart J SupplHome page
P. A. Poole-Wilson, A. Jacques, and A. Lyon
Treatment of angina: a commentary on new therapeutic approaches
Eur. Heart J. Suppl., February 1, 2006; 8(suppl_A): A20 - A25.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
CirculationHome page
Part 8: Stabilization of the Patient With Acute Coronary Syndromes
Circulation, December 13, 2005; 112(24_suppl): IV-89 - IV-110.
[Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
CirculationHome page
M. Sirol, V. Fuster, J. J. Badimon, J. T. Fallon, J.-F. Toussaint, and Z. A. Fayad
Chronic Thrombus Detection With In Vivo Magnetic Resonance Imaging and a Fibrin-Targeted Contrast Agent
Circulation, September 13, 2005; 112(11): 1594 - 1600.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
CirculationHome page
M. Gick, N. Jander, H.-P. Bestehorn, R.-P. Kienzle, M. Ferenc, K. Werner, T. Comberg, K. Peitz, D. Zohlnhofer, V. Bassignana, et al.
Randomized Evaluation of the Effects of Filter-Based Distal Protection on Myocardial Perfusion and Infarct Size After Primary Percutaneous Catheter Intervention in Myocardial Infarction With and Without ST-Segment Elevation
Circulation, September 6, 2005; 112(10): 1462 - 1469.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
CirculationHome page
P. Libby and P. Theroux
Pathophysiology of Coronary Artery Disease
Circulation, June 28, 2005; 111(25): 3481 - 3488.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
CirculationHome page
S. Z.H. Rittersma, A. C. van der Wal, K. T. Koch, J. J. Piek, J. P.S. Henriques, K. J. Mulder, J. P.H.M. Ploegmakers, M. Meesterman, and R. J. de Winter
Plaque Instability Frequently Occurs Days or Weeks Before Occlusive Coronary Thrombosis: A Pathological Thrombectomy Study in Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention
Circulation, March 8, 2005; 111(9): 1160 - 1165.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J Am Coll CardiolHome page
C. Monaco, E. Rossi, D. Milazzo, F. Citterio, F. Ginnetti, G. D'Onofrio, D. Cianflone, F. Crea, L. M. Biasucci, and A. Maseri
Persistent systemic inflammation in unstable angina is largely unrelated to the atherothrombotic burden
J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., January 18, 2005; 45(2): 238 - 243.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Bio.Home page
A. Yamashita, E. Furukoji, K. Marutsuka, K. Hatakeyama, H. Yamamoto, S. Tamura, Y. Ikeda, A. Sumiyoshi, and Y. Asada
Increased Vascular Wall Thrombogenicity Combined With Reduced Blood Flow Promotes Occlusive Thrombus Formation in Rabbit Femoral Artery
Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Biol., December 1, 2004; 24(12): 2420 - 2424.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
CirculationHome page
N. M. Malyar, L. O. Lerman, M. Gossl, P. E. Beighley, and E. L. Ritman
Relation of Nonperfused Myocardial Volume and Surface Area to Left Ventricular Performance in Coronary Microembolization
Circulation, October 5, 2004; 110(14): 1946 - 1952.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
HeartHome page
C H Lee, P de Feyter, P W Serruys, F Saia, P A Lemos, D Goedhart, P R Soares, V A W M Umans, M Ciccone, and M Cortellaro
Beneficial effects of fluvastatin following percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with unstable and stable angina: results from the Lescol intervention prevention study (LIPS)
Heart, October 1, 2004; 90(10): 1156 - 1161.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
HeartHome page
B L Norgaard, K Andersen, K Thygesen, J Ravkilde, P Abrahamsson, L Grip, and M Dellborg
Long term risk stratification of patients with acute coronary syndromes: characteristics of troponin T testing and continuous ST segment monitoring
Heart, July 1, 2004; 90(7): 739 - 744.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Bio.Home page
Z. Chen, M. Sakuma, A. C. Zago, X. Zhang, C. Shi, L. Leng, Y. Mizue, R. Bucala, and D. I. Simon
Evidence for a Role of Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor in Vascular Disease
Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Biol., April 1, 2004; 24(4): 709 - 714.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J Am Coll CardiolHome page
M. H. Rubenstein, A. V. Finn, R. C. Leinbach, S. Hollenbach, H. T. Aretz, R. Virmani, and H. K. Gold
Short-term intravenous eptifibatide infusion combined with reduced dose recombinant tissue plasminogen activator inhibits platelet recruitment at sites of coronary artery injury
J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., January 21, 2004; 43(2): 287 - 294.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
ANGIOLOGYHome page
H. Tomoda and N. Aoki
Coronary Blood Flow in Evolving Myocardial Infarction Preceded by Preinfarction Angina: A Critical Reevaluation of Preconditioning Effects in Clinical Cases
Angiology, January 1, 2004; 55(1): 9 - 15.
[Abstract] [PDF]


Home page
Emerg. Med. J.Home page
M K Sinha, D Roy, D C Gaze, P O Collinson, and J-C Kaski
Role of "Ischemia Modified Albumin", a new biochemical marker of myocardial ischaemia, in the early diagnosis of acute coronary syndromes
Emerg. Med. J., January 1, 2004; 21(1): 29 - 34.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Bio.Home page
B. E. Sobel, D. J. Taatjes, and D. J. Schneider
Intramural Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor Type-1 and Coronary Atherosclerosis
Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Biol., November 1, 2003; 23(11): 1979 - 1989.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
BloodHome page
D. Ardissino, P. A. Merlini, K. A. Bauer, M. Galvani, F. Ottani, F. Franchi, F. Bertocchi, R. D. Rosenberg, and P. M. Mannucci
Coagulation activation and long-term outcome in acute coronary syndromes
Blood, October 15, 2003; 102(8): 2731 - 2735.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
HeartHome page
E Falk and L Thuesen
Pathology of coronary microembolisation and no reflow
Heart, September 1, 2003; 89(9): 983 - 985.
[Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
HeartHome page
R Erbel
Spontaneous and interventional coronary microembolisation
Heart, September 1, 2003; 89(9): 986 - 989.
[Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther.Home page
T.-T. Hong, E. M. Driscoll, A. J. White, A. Sherigill, T. A. Giboulot, and B. R. Lucchesi
Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa Receptor Antagonist (2S)-2-[(2-Naphthyl-sulfonyl)amino]-3-{[2-({4-(4-piperidinyl)-2-[2-(4-piperidinyl)ethyl] butanoyl}amino)acetyl]amino}propanoic Acid Dihydrochloride (CRL42796), in Combination with Aspirin and/or Enoxaparin, Prevents Coronary Artery Rethrombosis after Successful Thrombolytic Treatment by Recombinant Tissue Plasminogen Activator
J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther., August 1, 2003; 306(2): 616 - 623.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
ANGIOLOGYHome page
G. Heper and M. Bayraktaroglu
The Importance of von Willebrand Factor Level and Heart Rate Changes in Acute Coronary Syndromes: A Comparison with Chronic Ischemic Conditions
Angiology, May 1, 2003; 54(3): 287 - 299.
[Abstract] [PDF]


Home page
CirculationHome page
C. Heeschen, S. Dimmeler, C. W. Hamm, S. Fichtlscherer, E. Boersma, M. L. Simoons, A. M. Zeiher, and for the CAPTURE Study Investigators
Serum Level of the Antiinflammatory Cytokine Interleukin-10 Is an Important Prognostic Determinant in Patients With Acute Coronary Syndromes
Circulation, April 29, 2003; 107(16): 2109 - 2114.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Cardiovasc ResHome page
S. Mohlenkamp, P. E Beighley, E. A Pfeifer, T. R Behrenbeck, P. F Sheedy II, and E. L Ritman
Intramyocardial blood volume, perfusion and transit time in response to embolization of different sized microvessels
Cardiovasc Res, March 1, 2003; 57(3): 843 - 852.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J Am Coll CardiolHome page
L. K. Newby, B. U. Goldmann, and E. M. Ohman
Troponin: an important prognostic marker and risk-stratification tool in non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes
J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., February 19, 2003; 41(4_Suppl_S): 31S - 36S.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
CirculationHome page
B. E. Sobel, R. Frye, and K. M. Detre
Burgeoning Dilemmas in the Management of Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease: Rationale for the Bypass Angioplasty Revascularization Investigation 2 Diabetes (BARI 2D) Trial
Circulation, February 4, 2003; 107(4): 636 - 642.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Eur Heart JHome page
The Task Force on the Management of Acute Myocardi, F. Van de Werf, D. Ardissino, A. Betriu, D. V. Cokkinos, E. Falk, K. A.A. Fox, D. Julian, M. Lengyel, F.-J. Neumann, et al.
Management of acute myocardial infarction in patients presenting with ST-segment elevation
Eur. Heart J., January 1, 2003; 24(1): 28 - 66.
[Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
HeartHome page
F Burzotta, M Hamon, R Sabatier, F Prati, A Boccanelli, and G Grollier
Large intracoronary thrombi with good TIMI flow during acute myocardial infarction: four cases of successful aggressive medical management in patients without angiographically detectable coronary atherosclerosis
Heart, December 1, 2002; 88(5): e6 - 6.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J Am Coll CardiolHome page
K. Yamamoto, H. Ito, K. Iwakura, S. Kawano, M. Ikushima, T. Masuyama, T. Ogihara, and K. Fujii
Two different coronary blood flow velocity patterns in thrombolysis in myocardial infarction flow grade 2 in acute myocardial infarction: Insight into mechanisms of microvascular dysfunction
J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., November 20, 2002; 40(10): 1755 - 1760.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Bio.Home page
A. C. Sposito and M. J. Chapman
Statin Therapy in Acute Coronary Syndromes: Mechanistic Insight Into Clinical Benefit
Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Biol., October 1, 2002; 22(10): 1524 - 1534.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Arch Intern MedHome page
C. Knottenbelt, P. J. Brennan, T. W. Meade, and for the Medical Research Council's General Practic
Antithrombotic Treatment and the Incidence of Angina Pectoris
Arch Intern Med, April 22, 2002; 162(8): 881 - 886.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Clin. Chem.Home page
M. Muller-Bardorff, B. Weidtmann, E. Giannitsis, V. Kurowski, and H. A. Katus
Release Kinetics of Cardiac Troponin T in Survivors of Confirmed Severe Pulmonary Embolism
Clin. Chem., April 1, 2002; 48(4): 673 - 675.
[Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J Am Coll CardiolHome page
L. Sanchez de Miguel, M. a M. Arriero, J. Farre, P. Jimenez, A. Garcia-Mendez, T. de Frutos, A. Jimenez, R. Garcia, F. Cabestrero, J. Gomez, et al.
Nitric oxide production by neutrophils obtained from patients during acute coronary syndromes: expression of the nitric oxide synthase isoforms
J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., March 6, 2002; 39(5): 818 - 825.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Eur Heart J SupplHome page
A. Maseri and D. Cianflone
Inflammation in acute coronary syndromes
Eur. Heart J. Suppl., March 1, 2002; 4(suppl_B): B8 - B13.
[Abstract] [PDF]


Home page
J Am Coll CardiolHome page
J. A. Barrabes, D. Garcia-Dorado, M. Mirabet, R.-M. Lidon, B. Soriano, M. Ruiz-Meana, P. Pizcueta, J. Blanco, Y. Puigfel, and J. Soler-Soler
Lack of effect of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa blockade on myocardial platelet or polymorphonuclear leukocyte accumulation and on infarct size after transient coronary occlusion in pigs
J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., January 2, 2002; 39(1): 157 - 165.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
JAMAHome page
M. J. Quinn and D. J. Moliterno
Troponins in Acute Coronary Syndromes: More TACTICS for an Early Invasive Strategy
JAMA, November 21, 2001; 286(19): 2461 - 2462.
[Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Eur Heart JHome page
D.J Patel, A.H Gomma, C.J Knight, D.A Mulcahy, C.A Wright, H.J Purcell, and K.M Fox
Why is recurrent myocardial ischaemia a predictor of adverse outcome in unstable angina?. An observational study of myocardial ischaemia and its relation to coronary anatomy
Eur. Heart J., November 1, 2001; 22(21): 1991 - 1996.
[Abstract] [PDF]


Home page
BloodHome page
D. Ardissino, P. A. Merlini, K. A. Bauer, E. Bramucci, M. Ferrario, R. Coppola, R. Fetiveau, S. Lucreziotti, R. D. Rosenberg, and P. M. Mannucci
Thrombogenic potential of human coronary atherosclerotic plaques
Blood, November 1, 2001; 98(9): 2726 - 2729.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
CirculationHome page
A. Schmermund and R. Erbel
Unstable Coronary Plaque and Its Relation to Coronary Calcium
Circulation, October 2, 2001; 104(14): 1682 - 1687.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
ANGIOLOGYHome page
H. Tomoda and N. Aoki
Pathophysiology of Early Coronary Angioplasty with Stenting on Non-Q-Wave vs Q-Wave Myocardial Infarction
Angiology, October 1, 2001; 52(10): 671 - 679.
[Abstract] [PDF]


Home page
Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med.Home page
S. P. SCHULMAN and H. E. FESSLER
Management of Acute Coronary Syndromes
Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med., September 15, 2001; 164(6): 917 - 922.
[Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
CirculationHome page
E. Giannitsis, M. Muller-Bardorff, S. Lehrke, U. Wiegand, R. Tolg, B. Weidtmann, F. Hartmann, G. Richardt, and H. A. Katus
Admission Troponin T Level Predicts Clinical Outcomes, TIMI Flow, and Myocardial Tissue Perfusion After Primary Percutaneous Intervention for Acute ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction
Circulation, August 7, 2001; 104(6): 630 - 635.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Eur Heart J SupplHome page
J.F. Bentzon and E. Falk
Coronary plaques calling for action -- why, where and how many?
Eur. Heart J. Suppl., August 1, 2001; 3(suppl_I): I3 - I9.
[Abstract] [PDF]


Home page
Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Bio.Home page
J. Hirsh, S. S. Anand, J. L. Halperin, and V. Fuster
Guide to Anticoagulant Therapy: Heparin : A Statement for Healthcare Professionals From the American Heart Association
Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Biol., July 1, 2001; 21 (7): e9 - e9.
[Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Arch Intern MedHome page
A. G. G. Turpie and E. M. Antman
Low-Molecular-Weight Heparins in the Treatment of Acute Coronary Syndromes
Arch Intern Med, June 25, 2001; 161(12): 1484 - 1490.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
CirculationHome page
J. Hirsh, S. S. Anand, J. L. Halperin, and V. Fuster
Guide to Anticoagulant Therapy: Heparin : A Statement for Healthcare Professionals From the American Heart Association
Circulation, June 19, 2001; 103(24): 2994 - 3018.
[Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Eur Heart J SupplHome page
C.W. Hamm
GP IIb/IIIa receptor antagonists in unstable angina: troponin level-based patient selection
Eur. Heart J. Suppl., May 1, 2001; 3(suppl_A): A14 - A20.
[Abstract] [PDF]


Home page
Arch Intern MedHome page
G. N. Levine, M. N. Ali, and A. I. Schafer
Antithrombotic Therapy in Patients With Acute Coronary Syndromes
Arch Intern Med, April 9, 2001; 161(7): 937 - 948.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
CirculationHome page
Randomized Trial of Aspirin, Sibrafiban, or Both for Secondary Prevention After Acute Coronary Syndromes
Circulation, April 3, 2001; 103(13): 1727 - 1733.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USAHome page
D. Praticò, C. Tillmann, Z.-B. Zhang, H. Li, and G. A. FitzGerald
Acceleration of atherogenesis by COX-1-dependent prostanoid formation in low density lipoprotein receptor knockout mice
PNAS, March 1, 2001; (2001) 61607398.
[Abstract] [Full Text]


Home page
ANGIOLOGYHome page
T. J. Tegos, E. Kalodiki, M. M. Sabetai, and A. N. Nicolaides
The Genesis of Atherosclerosis and Risk Factors: A Review
Angiology, February 1, 2001; 52(2): 89 - 98.
[Abstract] [PDF]


Home page
QJMHome page
S.K.S. Lairikyengbam, A.G. Davies, and M.H. Anderson
Present treatment options for unstable angina and non-Q-wave myocardial infarction
QJM, January 1, 2001; 94(1): 5 - 11.
[Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Eur Heart JHome page
K. M. Akkerhuis, K.-L. Neuhaus, R. G. Wilcox, A. Vahanian, J.-L. Boland, J. Hoffmann, T. Baardman, G. Nehmiz, U. Roth, A. P. J. Klootwijk, et al.
Safety and preliminary efficacy of one month glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibition with lefradafiban in patients with acute coronary syndromes without ST-elevation A phase II study
Eur. Heart J., December 2, 2000; 21(24): 2042 - 2055.
[Abstract] [PDF]