Difference Between Necrosis and Infarction


What is Necrosis?

Necrosis refers to a form of cell death that is both premature and not controlled by the body. When a death occurs due to reduced blood flow, it is called infarction. It is an uncontrolled premature cell death causing to enlargement of the cell organelles, plasma membrane rupture and final lysis of the cell, and leakage of intracellular contents into the surrounding tissue leading to tissue injury.

Causes and risk factors − Injuries, infections, cancers, blocked blood vessels, toxins, and inflammations are all potential extrinsic causes of necrosis

Diagnosis − The results of a patient's physical examination are typically the initial step in determining whether or not other diagnostic procedures, such as laboratory testing, imaging scans, or even a biopsy for pathology evaluation, are necessary.

Symptoms − Skin redness, swelling, blistering, fluid collection, discoloration, loss of feeling, and numbness are all symptoms commonly associated with necrosis.

Complications − Necrosis that has spread to neighboring, healthy tissues. Necrosis often leads to gangrene, which in severe cases might require amputation. Complications from necrotizing pancreatitis can include sepsis shock and death.

Treatment − Extremely potent intravenous antibiotics are used to treat necrosis. The doctor will then operate to remove the diseased or damaged tissue.

What is Infarction?

When blood flow is cut off to a region or cells, necrosis (tissue death) occurs. This is known as infarction.

Causes and risk factors − Vasoconstriction, mechanical compression, and arterial blockage or rupture are all potential causes.

Diagnosis − ECG abnormalities, a patient's medical history, scintigraphy, echocardiography, and coronary angiography are all useful in the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction

Symptoms − Blocking total blood flow is unpleasant because of the body's response. The specific infarction symptoms manifest themselves in whichever organ or body part suffers damage.

Ischemic symptoms, the appearance of abnormal Q waves on the electrocardiogram, and coronary artery encroachment are all indications of acute myocardial infarction.

The brain infarcts that accompany transient ischemia events are often rather small. If the infarct occurs in the spinal cord, you may experience stroke-like symptoms, including a gradual decrease in lower extremity mobility and abrupt back discomfort.

Complications − The severity of infarction complications is related to the kind of blockage and the organ or tissue that was damaged. If infarcts develop sepsis, saprobic bacteria can infect the area and cause an abscess to form.

When an abscess bursts, it can be lethal. The scarring left behind after an abscess heals might lead to ongoing issues. When brain tissue is damaged by an infarction, the patient may experience difficulty communicating and/or doing daily tasks (including memory problems). The ability to move and feel can be impaired by a spinal cord infarction.

Treatment − Surgery to repair blood flow or remove damaged tissues, medications to prevent or cure an infection, and care for underlying injuries like burns are also potential treatments.

Differences between Necrosis and Infarction

The following table highlights the major differences between Necrosis and Infarction −

Characteristics

Necrosis

Infarction

Definition

When cells or tissues die too soon or without proper control, this is called necrosis.

The condition that causes ischemic necrosis to develop is called infarction.

Causes

Infarction is a possible trigger for necrosis.

Blockage of arterial blood flow, obstruction of venous blood flow, or tissue hypoperfusion can all lead to infarction.

Symptoms

Pain, redness, swelling, blisters, fluid collection, and discoloration of the skin are common symptoms.

Whether the insufficient blood flow is due to a blockage in an artery or a vein determines whether symptoms of infarction will be present.

Treatment

Surgery and broad-spectrum antibiotics are used to treat necrosis with the goal of avoiding the loss of viable cells and organs.

Surgery to repair the blood supply and antibiotics to treat any resulting infections are the mainstays of infarction care.

Complications

In severe cases of necrosis, gangrene can set in, and the damaged limb may need to be amputated.

The severity of the infarction complications are related to the kind of the blockage and the organ or tissue that was damaged.

Sepsis and bacterial infection can develop in infarcts, transforming the lesion into an abscess.

Mortality rate

Mortality in necrotizing pancreatitis averages around 15%, but increases to 30% to 39% when necrosis becomes infected.

Two years after a first myocardial infarction, the mortality rate might approach 50 percent.

Conclusion

In this article, we discussed in detail the differences between Necrosis and Infarction.

Updated on: 24-Jan-2023

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