Myocardial infarction: etiology, clinical characteristics, myocardial biomarkers, pathophysiological and anatomical features based on clinical research and statistical analysis

Abstract

Myocardial infarction (MI) is one of the most severe and clinically significant manifestations of ischemic heart disease and remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. This condition is fundamentally characterized by irreversible necrosis of cardiomyocytes resulting from prolonged ischemia, most commonly associated with acute obstruction of coronary blood flow. Over recent decades, large-scale epidemiological and clinical studies have provided deeper insights into the multifactorial etiology of myocardial infarction, the evolution of its clinical features, and the complexity of its pathophysiological mechanisms. This article presents a comprehensive scientific review based on statistical data, theoretical models, and findings from major clinical investigations related to myocardial infarction. The analysis encompasses etiological factors, global and regional incidence rates, disease prevalence and mortality trends, as well as characteristic structural and functional alterations of the myocardium. Myocardial biomarkers are biochemical substances released into the bloodstream following myocardial tissue injury and play a crucial role in the early detection and diagnosis of myocardial infarction. The principal myocardial biomarkers include troponin (I and T), creatine kinase MB fraction (CK-MB), myoglobin, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Troponin demonstrates high sensitivity and specificity and is regarded as the gold standard for confirming myocardial infarction. The primary clinical significance of CK-MB lies in the detection of reinfarction. Myoglobin is the earliest marker to rise, although it lacks cardiac specificity. LDH is a late-rising biomarker and is currently used in limited clinical settings. Particular attention is given to the pathophysiological cascade linking coronary artery pathology with myocardial injury, as well as to cellular and tissue-level anatomical changes. By synthesizing data from peer-reviewed studies, meta-analyses, and large-scale investigations, this review provides an integrated and theoretically grounded understanding of myocardial infarction. The findings highlight the persistent burden of this disease on the global healthcare system and emphasize the importance of evidence-based preventive strategies, early diagnosis, and continuous scientific research in mitigating its adverse impact.