<unk>  and myocardial infarction are sometimes used as synonyms, although this is technically inaccurate as the<unk>  refers to the blocking of blood vessels with a thrombus, while myocardial infarction refers to heart tissue death due to the consequent loss of blood flow to the heart. Due to extensive collateral circulation, a coronary thrombus does not necessarily cause tissue death and may be asymptomatic. The formation of<unk>  generally follows the same mechanism as other blood clots in the body, the coagulation cascade. Also applicable is the Virchow's triad of blood stasis, endothelial injury, and hypercoagulable state. Atherosclerosis contributes to<unk>  formation by facilitating blood stasis as well as causing local endothelial injury. Due to the large number of cases of myocardial infarction leading to death and disease in the world, there has been extensive study towards the generation of clots specifically in the coronary arteries. Some areas of focus: *<unk>  can be a complication associated with drug-eluting stents. These stents that are placed to open up narrowed arteries are often infused with medicine to prevent repeat stenosis. However, they may actually lead to an increased coronary thrombus formation due to increased tissue factor expression and delayed healing within the vessels. Furthermore, the downstream endothelium has been shown to be impaired, leading to an environment that favors formation of clots. Evidence remains inconclusive about whether these risks outweigh the benefit of a coronary arterial stent. * Inflammation may play a causal role in coronary artery disease and subsequent myocardial infarction due to<unk> . Increased levels of inflammation may lead to higher risk of clotting as well as an increased risk of stent/device subsequent<unk> . There is an ongoing search for inflammatory biomarkers that can help determine at-risk individuals. * Coronary "microembolization" is being explored as a focal point for coronary thrombus formation and subsequent sudden death due to acute myocardial infarction. * High mobility group box-1 (HMGB-1) proteins as important mediators in thrombus formation. * Coronary sinus<unk>  as a severe complication after procedures. The coronary sinus is the venous counterpart to the coronary arteries, where de-oxygenated blood returns from heart tissue. A large thrombus here slows overall blood circulation to heart tissue as well as may mechanically compress a coronary artery.
Coronary thrombosis
Coronary occlusion
Coronary artery ectasia
Coronary artery aneurysm
Coronary ischemia
Cholesterol embolism
Vasculitis
Embolism