At autopsy of a patient who survived 6 weeks after a large transmural anterior MI, gross examination of the heart would most likely reveal which appearance at the infarct site?
- A Yellow-tan soft necrotic area with a hemorrhagic border
- B Red-blue granulation tissue with a gelatinous appearance
- C Dense white fibrous scar tissue with thinning of the wall ✓
- D Gray-white coagulative necrosis with preserved architecture
Correct answer: C. Dense white fibrous scar tissue with thinning of the wall
Explanation
By 5-6 weeks post-MI, the necrotic myocardium has been completely replaced by a dense, white, collagenous scar with thinning of the ventricular wall. This is the mature healing phase. Yellow-tan softening occurs at 3-5 days. Red granulation tissue appears at 1-2 weeks. Gray-white coagulation necrosis is the early change at 12-24 hours. Robbins 10th ed, Chapter 12.
Reference: Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease, 10th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
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