Causes of infarction

1.      Thrombosis

Thrombosis is the formation of a blood clot (thrombus) inside a blood vessel, obstructing the flow of blood through the circulatory system.

When a blood vessel is injured, the body uses platelets (thrombocytes) and fibrin to form a blood clot to prevent blood loss.

Even when a blood vessel is not injured, blood clots may form in the body under certain conditions.

2. Embolism 

Embolism is the lodging of an embolus which may be a blood clot, fat globule, gas bubble or foreign material in the bloodstream. 

This can cause a blockage in a blood vessel. 

Thrombus is a stationary solid mass that is attached to the vessel wall of the site of origin, whereas, embolus is freely floating solid/liquid/gaseous mass not attached to the site of origin.

The state of a clot that breaks free and begins to travel within the blood stream is known as an thromboembolism.

3. Atherosclerosis  

Atherosclerosis is the formation of plaque inside the arteries. Plaque is made up of fat, cholesterol, calcium and other substances found in the blood.

Over time, plaque thickens and hardens the wall and narrows and blocks the lumen of arteries causing infarction.