The “Right” Side of Myocardial Infarction: Sinister Outcomes?

Right ventricular myocardial infarction (RVI) is rarely an isolated event; rather, it generally complicates 10% to 50% of cases of acute inferior ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).^, Proximal right coronary artery occlusion, impairing right ventricular (RV) branch flow, is most frequently the culprit vessel, although it depends on coronary tree anatomy.

Previous studies underlined that RVI is often unrecognized, since RV ischemic dysfunction is generally transient, due to the different composition and higher resistance to hypoxia of the RV wall. In addition, the diagnostic criteria for RVI, which are mainly based on electrocardiogram (), can lead to underestimation, unless RV involvement becomes clinically manifest with hemodynamic complications. In fact, acute RV dysfunction can lead to reduced output, insufficient left heart filling, and cardiogenic shock, despite preserved left contractility. Moreover, intrapericardial ventricular interaction can translate into an abrupt RV dilation and further compression of the left chambers.

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