infarct

American  

[in-fahrkt, in-fahrkt] / ˈɪnˌfɑrkt, ɪnˈfɑrkt /

noun

Pathology.

1. a localized area of tissue, as in the heart or kidney, that is dying or dead, having been deprived of its blood supply because of an obstruction by embolism or thrombosis.

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infarct British  

/ ɪnˈfɑːkt /

noun

1. Also called: infarction.  a localized area of dead tissue (necrosis) resulting from obstruction of the blood supply to that part, esp by an embolus

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infarct Scientific  

/ ĭn′färkt′,ĭn-färkt′ /

1. An area of living tissue that undergoes necrosis as a result of obstruction of local blood supply, as by a thrombus.

2. See also heart attack stroke

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Other Word Forms

• infarcted
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of infarct

1870–75; < New Latin infarctus, noun use of past participle of Latin infarcīre (variant of infercīre ) to stuff, equivalent to in- in- ² + farc ( īre ) to stuff, fill ( see farce) + -tus past participle suffix

Example Sentences

The next steps are to find a way to neutralize the harmful protein and test if this can reduce VT burden and infarct size.

From Science Daily • Oct. 13, 2025

The 25-year-old revealed in March that she sustained a "left occipital infarct" last year but there was no lasting damage to her brain or vision.

From BBC • Dec. 9, 2024

If the alarm clock suddenly rings an hour earlier than usual, a weak heart can suffer an infarct.

From Scientific American • Mar. 7, 2013

A provisional cause of death has been given as "large hemorrhagic right-sided cerebral infarct", which is regarded as a stroke, according to the coroner's office.

From BBC • Nov. 16, 2012

If they do, of course the signs will be in the part in which the infarct occurs.

From Disturbances of the Heart by Osborne, Oliver T. (Oliver Thomas)

Related Words

• barricade
• closure
• encirclement
• restriction
• roadblock
• siege
• stoppage