Abstract

Myocardial infarction, commonly known as a heart attack, is a leading cause of death worldwide. It was once believed that large plaques within the coronary arteries caused heart attacks. Since the mid 1980s, however, it has become apparent that heart attacks occur from the rupture of small plaques in the coronary arteries. When these plaques rupture, they release lipids into the blood stream. A clot forms, and the vessel occludes.

© 2002 Optical Society of America