What is the term for dead myocardial tissue?

The term for dead myocardial tissue is infarction. This occurs when the blood supply to a part of the heart muscle is obstructed, typically due to a blockage in the coronary arteries. When the heart muscle does not receive sufficient blood flow, it can become ischemic and eventually lead to the death of the tissue, resulting in what is referred to as a myocardial infarction, commonly known as a heart attack. This condition is critical because the affected area can no longer function properly, leading to significant cardiovascular complications and requires immediate medical intervention.

In contrast, angina refers to chest pain caused by reduced blood flow to the heart muscle but does not imply tissue death. Arrhythmia is related to irregular heartbeats and does not denote tissue damage. Cardiomyopathy refers to a disease of the heart muscle that affects its size and shape, impacting its ability to pump blood effectively but is not synonymous with dead tissue.