Acute Infections as Triggers for Myocardial Infarction: Mechanisms and Clinical Implications

This NEJM review examines the well-documented but underappreciated association between acute infections and the triggering of myocardial infarction. Respiratory and urinary tract infections substantially increase short-term cardiovascular risk through mechanisms involving systemic inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, and plaque destabilization. The findings have important implications for biomarker interpretation in acutely infected patients and for preventive strategies including vaccination in cardiovascular risk populations.