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Figure 1 Morphology of Coronary Thrombi With Early, Late (Lytic), Infiltrating, and Healing Maturation in Plaque Rupture

(A and B) Corresponding low-power views of a human ruptured coronary lesion showing a relatively large necrotic core and superimposed thrombus (early, nonhealing, <1 day in age). (C) Higher magnification of thrombus area referenced by the inset in A showing platelets and fibrin, and focal collections of neutrophils without inflammatory cells lysis. (D and E) Rupture with a superimposed lytic thrombus (1 to 3 days in age). (F) Higher-power views of the thrombus showing nuclear debris consistent with inflammatory cell degradation; the inset shows evidence of nuclear degradation (x1,000 magnification). (G and H) Rupture with an occlusive infiltrative thrombus (4 to 7 days in age). (I) Corresponding higher-power view of an infiltrative thrombus demonstrating invading mesenchymal cells with the appearance of smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and endothelium. (J and K) Rupture with a healing thrombus (>7 days in age). (L) Higher-power view of a healing thrombus characterized by organized layers of SMCs and proteoglycan-collagen matrix. A, D, G, J: x20 magnification, hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining; B, E, J, K: x20 magnification, Movat Pentachrome staining; and C, F, I, L: x400 magnification, H&E staining. NC = necrotic core; Th = thrombus.