Infarct
An infarct is an area of tissue that has been damaged because its blood supply was interrupted.
When to get help quickly: Infarcts are often urgent, especially in the brain, heart, bowel, or other vital organs where early treatment can reduce permanent damage.
Common symptoms
Symptoms depend on the organ involved and may include sudden weakness, severe pain, shortness of breath, confusion, or organ-specific loss of function.
When imaging helps
Imaging helps confirm whether tissue damage has occurred, how large the affected area is, and whether blood vessels are blocked or the tissue is at risk.
What radiology does
CT or MRI may show infarcts in the brain, spleen, kidney, bowel, or other organs depending on the clinical concern.
What usually happens next
Treatment focuses on the cause, the affected organ, and how quickly blood flow can be restored or complications prevented.
Seen this on your report?
Your doctor or the radiologist who wrote it can tell you what it means for you.