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Figure 2 Panel A shows a cross-section of the epicardial coronary artery, demonstrating a rupture of the shoulder region of the plaque with a luminal thrombus (x30). Panel B, at a higher magnification than Panel A, shows a ruptured thin cap densely infiltrated by macrophages and an adjacent fibrin-platelet thrombus (black reflects the post-mortem injection of contrast material) (x120). In Panel C, showing an eroded plaque, a subocclusive luminal thrombus is visible in cross-section of the epicardial coronary artery (x20). Panel D, at a higher magnification, demonstrated a luminal thrombus (left) overlying SMC fibrin-rich plaque (x100). (Movat pentachrome) Copyright 2002, Massachusetts Medical Society. All rights reserved. N Engl J Med 1997;336:1276–82.