A 60-year-old man dies 4 days after acute myocardial infarction. Autopsy shows a yellow, soft, necrotic center surrounded by hyperemic rim in the anterior wall. Histology would MOST likely show:

• A Granulation tissue with angiogenesis and macrophage infiltration
• B Dense collagen scar replacing myocytes
• C Wavy myofibers with contraction bands
• D Coagulation necrosis with ghost outlines and neutrophil infiltration ✓

Explanation

Between 1–3 days post-infarction, the necrotic zone shows established coagulation necrosis: myocytes lose their nuclei and striations but retain their ghost outlines due to preserved protein scaffold. Neutrophils infiltrate the border zone during this period. Wavy fibers and contraction bands appear within the first 12–24 hours. Granulation tissue appears from day 7–10, and scarring is complete by 6–8 weeks.

Reference: Robbins & Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease, 10th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

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