Final answer:
Toxin X can trigger an acute MI by damaging the cell membranes, leading to cell lysis and contributing to thrombus formation. It may affect the coronary arteries at sites such as the proximal left anterior descending (LAD) artery or the right coronary artery (RCA), leading to ischemia and myocardial cell death.
Step-by-step explanation:
An acute myocardial infarction (MI), often known as a heart attack, can be triggered by Toxin X. This toxin is a lipase that disrupts cell membranes and causes thrombi. Two different possible sites on the coronary artery where an acute MI might be precipitated include:
- The proximal left anterior descending (LAD) artery, which provides blood to a large portion of the left ventricle. Blockage here can lead to an extensive infarction, commonly termed 'the widowmaker', due to its high mortality rate.
- The right coronary artery (RCA), which supplies blood to the right ventricle, the SA and AV nodes. Obstruction in the RCA can cause inferior or posterior heart attacks and potentially affect the heart’s electrical conduction system.
The mechanism of acute MI development induced by Toxin X could involve the direct cytotoxic effect, where the toxin forms pores in cell membranes, leading to cell lysis. Furthermore, the toxin's role in the formation of thrombi contributes to ischemia by obstructing the blood vessels. Ischemia, combined with the toxic effects on the coronary arteries, leads to insufficient blood flow and hypoxia, culminating in myocardial cell death and the onset of an acute myocardial infarction.