CVP and GI Pathology Exam 2 Practice

After a transmural myocardial infarction, healing follows a characteristic sequence of histologic changes. In the first half-day to 12 hours, you see subtle alterations such as edema and early disruption of myocytes. By 12–24 hours, early coagulative necrosis becomes evident, with loss of nuclei and increased eosinophilia in affected myocytes. From day 1 to day 3, neutrophils infiltrate the infarcted area as they respond to necrotic debris. Between days 3 and 7, macrophages arrive to phagocytose dead cells and debris, and granulation tissue begins to form at the margins. By about 1–2 weeks, granulation tissue with neovascularization is well established, reflecting ongoing repair and organization. After more than 2 weeks, scar formation predominates as collagen replaces the necrotic tissue, completing the maturation of the scar.