Hemorrhagic infarct is a medical term that refers to an area of tissue death due to a blockage of blood supply that is then followed by bleeding inside the affected region. The spelling of the term can be explained with the IPA phonetic transcription as [hɛməˈrædʒɪk ˈɪnfɑrkt]. The phonetic symbols indicate that the word is pronounced with the stress on the second syllable, followed by the consonant cluster "rh" and the vowel sound "a" pronounced as "æ". The final "t" is silent, which is common in English.
Hemorrhagic infarct is a medical condition characterized by tissue damage resulting from the interruption of blood flow to a particular organ or tissue, leading to localized bleeding within the affected area. It represents a subtype of an infarction, which refers to the death or necrosis of tissue due to inadequate oxygen supply.
Typically, an infarct occurs when a blood vessel supplying oxygen-rich blood to an organ becomes blocked, obstructed, or damaged, thereby preventing the necessary blood flow. In a hemorrhagic infarct, the tissue experiences not only a lack of blood supply but also subsequent bleeding within the area. This occurs as a result of reperfusion injury, which happens when the blood flow is suddenly restored to the tissue after a period of ischemia (lack of blood flow).
The bleeding in a hemorrhagic infarct may occur within the infarct zone or spread beyond its boundaries, leading to the involvement of adjacent tissues. This additional bleeding often intensifies the initial tissue damage, potentially increasing the severity of the infarct.
Hemorrhagic infarcts can occur in various organs of the body, including the brain, lungs, intestines, and kidneys. The underlying causes can be diverse, such as blood clots, vascular occlusions, or trauma. The clinical manifestations of hemorrhagic infarcts depend on the specific organ affected, but common symptoms may include pain, swelling, organ dysfunction, and in severe cases, life-threatening complications.
Prompt medical intervention is crucial in cases of suspected hemorrhagic infarcts to minimize tissue damage, address the underlying cause, and prevent potential complications. Treatment strategies may involve anticoagulant therapy, surgery, or other interventions, depending on the location and severity of the infarct.
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A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "hemorrhagic infarct" has its etymology rooted in Latin and Greek.
"Hemorrhagic" comes from the Latin word "haemorrhagicus", which is derived from the Greek word "haimorrhagikos". The term "haima" means "blood" in Greek, and "rhēgnynai" means "to break forth". Therefore, "hemorrhagic" refers to the presence of bleeding or blood extravasation.
"On the other hand, "infarct" is derived from the Latin word "infarctus", which means "stuffed" or "crammed in". It comes from the Latin word "in" meaning "in" or "into" and "farctus" meaning "stuffed".