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Right ventricular myocardial infarction

Right ventricular myocardial infarction
Literature review current through: May 2024.
This topic last updated: Dec 15, 2023.

INTRODUCTION — Acute myocardial infarction (MI) involving only the right ventricle (RV) is an uncommon event. More often, right ventricular myocardial infarction (RVMI) is associated with acute ST-elevation MI (STEMI) of the inferior wall of the left ventricle (LV).

RVMI is associated with higher in-hospital morbidity and mortality compared with patients with a similar infarction territory in the LV but not the RV. Poor outcome is usually related to profound hemodynamic and electrical complications, which occur in approximately 50 percent of affected individuals [1-9]. However, long-term prognosis is generally good for those who survive the event.

This topic will discuss the diagnosis and management of patients with RVMI. The general approach to patients with MI is found elsewhere. (See "Overview of the acute management of non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndromes" and "Overview of the acute management of ST-elevation myocardial infarction" and "Overview of the nonacute management of ST-elevation myocardial infarction" and "Overview of the nonacute management of unstable angina and non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction".)

DEFINITIONS — The following terms that are used in this topic are defined as follows:

Stroke volume is the amount of blood pumped with each beat. It is influenced by preload, afterload, and contractility. (See "Pathophysiology of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction: Hemodynamic alterations and remodeling", section on 'Normal LV pressure-volume relationship'.)

Preload is the volume of blood within the left or right ventricle at the end of diastole (the filling period). Up to a point, increasing preload leads to a rise in stroke volume. (See "Pathophysiology of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction: Hemodynamic alterations and remodeling", section on 'Normal LV pressure-volume relationship'.)

Afterload is the resistance to forward flow from the right or left ventricle (figure 1). In patients with ventricular dysfunction, increasing afterload leads to a fall in stroke volume. (See "Pathophysiology of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction: Hemodynamic alterations and remodeling", section on 'Normal LV pressure-volume relationship'.)

Contractility is the strength of contraction (at any ventricular size) of the myocardial muscle. Up to a point, increasing contractility increases stroke volume. (See "Pathophysiology of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction: Hemodynamic alterations and remodeling", section on 'Normal LV pressure-volume relationship'.)

Cardiac output is the amount of blood pumped per minute and is the product of the stroke volume and heart rate.

PATHOPHYSIOLOGY

Right ventricular infarction versus ischemia — The term RV "infarction" is, to an extent, a misnomer, as most cases of acute RV ischemic dysfunction appear to represent predominantly viable myocardium. This is in marked contrast to the effects of ischemia and reperfusion on the LV, in which prolonged ischemia often leads to infarction [10,11]. The following observations support ischemia, rather than infarction, as the mechanism by which adverse outcomes are precipitated:

RV function improves in the majority of patients with RV infarction, including those who are not reperfused [7,8,12-14] (see 'Long-term prognosis' below). There are several factors that make the RV less susceptible to infarction:

Compared with the LV, oxygen demand is significantly lower in the RV because of its much smaller muscle mass and lower afterload [15,16].

Coronary perfusion in the RV occurs in both systole and diastole [16,17].

There is more extensive collateral flow from left to right coronary arteries [18].

The RV may also be protected from infarction to a greater degree than the LV by ischemic preconditioning [19]. (See "Myocardial ischemic conditioning: Clinical implications".)

Chronic right heart failure attributable to RVMI is rare.

Site of the culprit lesion — In most individuals, the majority of the RV is supplied by the right coronary artery through RV marginal branches. Thus, the majority of RV infarcts result from occlusion of the right coronary artery proximal to the origin of the major RV branches [1-3,5,20,21]. The left anterior descending coronary artery supplies the RV apex as well as the portion of the RV anterior wall contiguous with the anterior septum. This usually occurs in association with inferior infarction of the LV because the right coronary artery usually supplies not only inferior (and sometimes inferolateral) wall of the LV but also the RV free wall.

However, in patients with a left dominant system, which occurs in about 15 percent of the general population (or those with a chronically occluded proximal right coronary artery and significant collateral blood flow from either the left anterior descending or circumflex coronary artery), more than 50 percent of the RV free wall can be supplied by the left coronary circulation, usually the circumflex artery.

Hemodynamic consequences — The hemodynamic consequences of RVMI depend on the extent of RV free wall dysfunction; the presence of concomitant right atrial (RA) ischemia (resulting from very proximal occlusions), which leads to underfilling of the RV; and the extent of simultaneous LV impairment. Clinically evident hemodynamic manifestations are seen in less than 50 percent of affected patients [22].

Proximal occlusion of the right coronary artery compromises RV free wall perfusion, leading to dyskinesis and depressed global RV performance [2,6,19,20]. This leads to a fall in the delivery of blood to the LV and decreased systemic cardiac output despite intact LV systolic performance. RV (and LV) diastolic dysfunction also contributes to hemodynamic compromise [23]. The ischemic RV is stiff and dilated late in diastole, impeding inflow from the RA and leading to rapid diastolic pressure elevation. RV dilatation and elevated diastolic pressure shift the interventricular septum toward the volume deprived LV, further impairing LV compliance and filling. Abrupt RV dilatation within the noncompliant pericardium elevates intrapericardial pressure, the resultant constraint further intensifying septal-mediated diastolic ventricular interactions and thereby impairing both RV and LV compliance and filling. The extent of LV systolic dysfunction also modulates the impact of RVMI. Given that the ischemic dysfunctional RV is disproportionately dependent on LV-septal contractions to generate RV systolic performance, the magnitude of acute and prior LV ischemic damage that depresses LV contributions to biventricular performance exacerbates hemodynamic compromise and confers worse prognosis.

It should be kept in mind that in patients with RVMI, hemodynamic compromise may be due to RV dysfunction, LV dysfunction, a combination of these, or other disorders (eg, ventricular septal rupture or tricuspid regurgitation). In some cases, the relative contribution of the right and left ventricles may be uncertain, and hemodynamic monitoring may be required both to understand the pathophysiology and to guide treatment. (See 'Hemodynamic monitoring' below.)

Other factors that may worsen the hemodynamic profile of patients with RVMI include:

RA ischemia can impair RA function, worsening the hemodynamic changes [21,24].This occurs when the culprit right coronary artery lesion is proximal to the RA branches.

Depression of LV function (for example, from prior MI) may exacerbate hemodynamic compromise for any degree of ischemic RV dysfunction. This effect is attributable not only due to loss of LV power, but also due to the fact that under conditions of severely depressed RV free wall contraction, RV performance is dependent on LV-septal contraction, which is generally abnormal with prior LV systolic dysfunction.

Tricuspid valve regurgitation, caused by ischemia to the papillary muscle or by dilatation of the tricuspid annulus.

Mechanical complications of MI, such as ventricular septal rupture [2,25]. The left-to-right shunting further reduces LV output and exacerbates the RV dysfunction. (See "Acute myocardial infarction: Mechanical complications".)

CLINICAL PRESENTATION — In a patient presenting with an acute MI (particularly STEMI), the major clinical features of a hemodynamically significant RVMI include hypotension, elevated jugular venous pressure (JVP), and clear lung fields and an electrocardiogram (ECG) with evidence of an acute inferior MI. ST elevation >1 mm in lead V4R has sensitivity and specificity >90 percent for scintigraphic evidence of RV infarction [26], and approximately 80 percent for echocardiographic evidence of RV dysfunction [27]. The right-sided ST elevation is often transient.

The extent to which RVMI impacts the clinical presentation depends on its size and the relative degree of LV dysfunction. A small RVMI may not lead to hypotension or elevated JVP. For these smaller RVMIs, making the diagnosis is less important (than in patients with larger RVMIs), as standard care for (LV) MI will lead to optimal patient care. (See "Overview of the acute management of ST-elevation myocardial infarction".)

Symptoms and signs — The symptoms of RVMI are those common to the broad population of patients with MI: chest pain, nausea, vomiting, diaphoresis, dizziness, and anxiety. However, isolated or predominant RVMI does not cause dyspnea. (See "Initial evaluation and management of suspected acute coronary syndrome (myocardial infarction, unstable angina) in the emergency department", section on 'Clinical presentation'.)

On examination, patients with large RVMI typically present with hypotension (and occasionally shock) and jugular vein distention in the presence of clear lung fields [28]. These physical examination findings in a patient having an MI, although specific, are not sensitive. (See "Clinical manifestations and diagnosis of cardiogenic shock in acute myocardial infarction".)

These findings are in contrast to those found in patients with predominant LV infarction, where pulmonary congestion, third or fourth heart sounds, and a new mitral valve murmur may be notable (table 1).

The heart rate in patients with RVMI is generally slower than those with predominant LV MI. Those patients with bradycardia due to vagotonic influences are more likely to manifest other signs of vagal excess, including pallor, diaphoresis, nausea, and vomiting (see 'Rhythm disturbances' below). Tachycardia may be present and is often due to sympathetic discharge related to anxiety or as a compensatory mechanism to raise low cardiac output. (See 'Definitions' above.)

Electrocardiographic features — An ECG should be obtained in all patients with symptoms suspicious for myocardial ischemia. (See "Initial evaluation and management of suspected acute coronary syndrome (myocardial infarction, unstable angina) in the emergency department", section on 'Immediate emergency department interventions'.)

Any patient with symptoms of an acute coronary syndrome and ECG evidence of inferior wall ischemia or infarction, as evidenced by abnormalities of the ST segment or T wave in leads II, III, and aVF, should have right-sided leads V4R, V5R, and V6R obtained to assess for a possible RV infarct. (See "Electrocardiogram in the diagnosis of myocardial ischemia and infarction", section on 'Inferior and right ventricular MI' and "Electrocardiogram in the diagnosis of myocardial ischemia and infarction", section on 'Inferior MI on the ECG'.)

The ECG in patients with RV infarction may demonstrate ≥1 mm of doming ST elevation in the right-sided precordial leads V4R to V6R (waveform 1). Right-sided ST elevation, particularly in V4R, is indicative of acute RV injury [9,26,29,30] and correlates closely with occlusion of the proximal right coronary artery [30-32]. In one report of 200 consecutive patients with acute inferior MI, ST elevation in V4R had a sensitivity and specificity for concurrent RV infarction of 88 and 78 percent (respectively), using findings from the results of autopsy, cardiac catheterization, radionuclide imaging, or hemodynamic monitoring as the "gold standard" [9]. Greater ST elevation in lead III than in lead II has been suggested as a predictor of RV infarction, but this finding has not been confirmed [33].

Rhythm disturbances — Bradyarrhythmias and tachyarrhythmias occur in patients with RVMI and contribute to the poor short-term outcome in some patients.

Bradycardia may be due to sinoatrial or atrioventricular (AV) nodal dysfunction due to ischemia, activation of cardioinhibitory reflexes, or both. Patients with acute RVMI are at increased risk for both high-grade AV block and bradycardia-hypotension without AV block compared with those with inferior MI alone (see "Conduction abnormalities after myocardial infarction"). The presence of sinus bradycardia (without AV block) and hypotension raises the possibility of cardioinhibitory (Bezold-Jarisch) reflexes arising from stimulation of vagal afferents located in the ischemic LV inferoposterior wall, as well as the ischemic RV [2,9,34-37].

Ventricular arrhythmias, including tachycardia and fibrillation, complicate up to one-third of cases of RVMI [9,38]. (See "Ventricular arrhythmias during acute myocardial infarction: Incidence, mechanisms, and clinical features".)

DIAGNOSIS — The diagnosis of RVMI is strongly suspected when hypotension, raised jugular venous pressure (distended neck veins), and clear lung fields are present in a patient whose 12-lead ECG has findings of an acute inferior wall infarction as well as ST elevation in lead V4R. As patients with other diagnoses, such as pericarditis with pericardial tamponade, may present with a similar picture, the diagnosis is usually secured when echocardiography shows RV cavity dilation and impaired RV free wall motion. Additional testing is rarely needed for diagnostic purposes but may be helpful for assessment of therapy. The most common circumstance in which additional testing may be necessary is a patient for whom diagnoses of RVMI or pulmonary embolism (PE) are still reasonable after echocardiography is performed. (See 'Echocardiography' below and 'Differential diagnosis' below and 'Other imaging studies' below.)

Echocardiography — Urgent echocardiography (often at the bedside), including evaluation for RV infarction, should be performed in patients with an inferior MI and evidence of hemodynamic compromise. In patients without hemodynamic compromise, this test should not delay referral of such patients to the cardiac catheterization laboratory for emergency percutaneous revascularization of the culprit vessel [28,39-43]. (See "Role of echocardiography in acute myocardial infarction".)

RV size and function and the degree of tricuspid insufficiency are evaluated along with assessment of left-sided structures and function. The major limitation of echocardiography is suboptimal visualization of cardiac structures in some patients.

In studies of patients with either clinical or ECG features of RVMI and in whom the diagnosis of RVMI was confirmed with autopsy, surgery, radionuclide ventriculography, or hemodynamic monitoring, the most reliable echocardiographic signs of hemodynamically important RV infarction were [41,42]:

RV cavity dilation; cases with right atrial (RA) ischemia may have RA dilation.

Impaired RV free wall motion (hypokinesis, akinesis, or dyskinesis). The extent of RV wall motion abnormality can vary from affecting only a small region adjacent to the inferior septum and LV inferior segment to affecting a large portion of the RV free wall. Patients with RVMI and hemodynamic compromise are likely to have wall motion abnormalities in a high percent of the RV.

Diastolic reversed septal curvature, systolic paradoxic septal motion.

Decreased tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion and/or reduced RV ejection fraction (RVEF). (See "Echocardiographic assessment of the right heart", section on 'Tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion'.)

Plethora of the inferior vena cava. (See "Echocardiographic evaluation of the atria and appendages", section on 'Vena cavae'.)

Impairment of tissue Doppler measures of RV systolic function [44,45].

The specificity of the findings may be decreased by preexistent pulmonary disease, such as chronic obstructive lung disease or PE. Preexistent significant pulmonary artery systolic hypertension (>45 to 50 mmHg) leads to echocardiographic abnormalities of RV structure and function (ie, RV dilation and tricuspid regurgitation) that mimic some of the findings of RVMI.

Echocardiography is also helpful in identifying cardiac tamponade, which can present similarly, as well as the rare complication of acute ventricular septal rupture complicating RVMI. (See 'Differential diagnosis' below.)

Hemodynamic monitoring — In a minority of patients, due to the limitations of echocardiography, a secure diagnosis of RVMI may not possible. In such patients, placement of a pulmonary artery catheter may provide additional diagnostic information. However, it should be emphasized that an ischemic RV is prone to catheter-induced ventricular arrhythmias and this procedure should be performed with great caution in these patients [38]. (See "Pulmonary artery catheterization: Indications, contraindications, and complications in adults", section on 'Indications'.)

Hemodynamically significant RV infarcts are associated with elevations in RA pressure to ≥10 mmHg and a ratio of RA pressure to pulmonary capillary wedge pressure to >0.8 (normal mean value <0.6) [41,46,47]. In addition, the cardiac index is decreased. The diastolic filling pressures in the RA, RV, and pulmonary capillary, as well as the LV, may be elevated and equalized. Kussmaul sign may be evident in the RA pressure trace (or the jugular venous pulse), reflecting inspiratory augmentation of venous return to a dilated and noncompliant right heart. (See "Examination of the jugular venous pulse", section on 'Respirophasic changes (Kussmaul sign)'.)

As mentioned above, patients with hemodynamically significant RVMI may also have important LV dysfunction, which may prevent the profile presented here from manifesting.

Once placed, a pulmonary artery catheter may be useful to assess the impact of therapy.

Other imaging studies — Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging is considered the standard imaging technique for detailed evaluation of RV structure and function. Contrast-enhanced CMR is more sensitive for the detection of RV involvement than physical examination, ECG, and echocardiography in patients with an inferior MI [48]. Magnetic resonance imaging evidence of substantial RV injury (a significant percent of the RV manifesting microvascular obstruction and/or delayed contrast enhancement) may predict adverse outcome [49]. (See "Clinical utility of cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging", section on 'Infarct detection and sizing'.)

DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS — The diagnoses most often confused with RVMI include pulmonary embolism (PE) (with ST elevation in the right-sided precordial leads caused by "strain"), pericarditis with pericardial tamponade (with ST elevation in many leads, including right-sided leads), and anteroseptal MI (ST elevation in leads V1 and V2 may be seen with an RV injury pattern). As discussed above, all patients with suspected acute RVMI and significant hemodynamic compromise should undergo urgent echocardiography, which will typically distinguish among these diagnoses.

Of these, PE and RVMI are most often confused. Both can present with chest pain and findings of clear lung fields and hypotension (including shock) on examination. The nature of the chest pain (ischemic versus pleuritic) may be helpful in making a distinction. The ECG is usually sufficient to discriminate between the two: ST elevation in the inferior leads is rarely present in patients with PE. Elevation of serum troponin may be present with either diagnosis.

On echocardiography, RV systolic dysfunction may be seen with both diagnoses. Sparing of the RV apex ("McConnell sign"), although initially reported to be specific for PE, is also seen with other disorders including RVMI [50,51]. We do not consider this finding specific for PE. If the diagnosis remains uncertain, additional testing, such as helical computed tomographic scanning or ventilation/perfusion scanning, may be necessary to establish the diagnosis. (See "Clinical presentation, evaluation, and diagnosis of the nonpregnant adult with suspected acute pulmonary embolism" and "Treatment, prognosis, and follow-up of acute pulmonary embolism in adults".)

TREATMENT — In general, patients with RVMI are treated in a manner similar to those with acute STEMI. This includes the early use of dual oral antiplatelet (aspirin plus a platelet P2Y12 receptor blocker), statin therapy, and an anticoagulant. However, medications to improve chest pain such as opioids, nitrates, and beta blockers should be used with caution due to their potential to negatively impact preload (opioids and nitrates) or heart rate and contractility (beta blockers and calcium channel blockers). (See 'Antiischemic drug therapy' below and 'Optimization of right ventricular preload' below.)

Reperfusion, particularly with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), should be initiated as soon as possible. (See "Overview of the acute management of ST-elevation myocardial infarction".)

Among patients with RVMI, there is a spectrum of the relative contributions of right and left ventricular dysfunction (see 'Hemodynamic consequences' above and 'Rhythm disturbances' above). Thus, the approach to treatment of abnormal hemodynamics may differ according to the relative contributions. Optimal management requires information obtained from a two-dimensional echocardiogram; some patients will need hemodynamic monitoring. (See 'Echocardiography' above and 'Hemodynamic monitoring' above.)

Therapy in patients who are hypotensive due to predominant RVMI is aimed at improving RV output [2,28]. This is achieved by optimizing RV preload and afterload. In patients who do not respond to these interventions, inotropic support may be necessary to improve RV contractility. In addition, optimization of RV output may require reversing bradycardia or atrioventricular dyssynchrony with appropriate pacing.

Optimization of right ventricular preload — Intravenous fluid (usually isotonic saline) should be given to patients with evidence of low cardiac output (hypotension, hypoperfusion) and a low or normal jugular venous pressure (JVP) who do not have pulmonary congestion or evidence of right heart failure [28]. This is done to enhance preload and thus improve forward flow out of the RV [2,21,46]. However, caution should be exercised to avoid excessive volume administration; overdistension of the ischemically dilated RV may propel it to the "descending limb" of the Starling curve, resulting in further depression of RV pump performance as well as inducing severe systemic venous congestion. The reported efficacy of this approach is variable, a probable reflection of differences in initial volume status [2].

In most cases, a carefully monitored volume challenge is initiated by infusing aliquots of 200 to 300 mL of normal saline while serially assessing the JVP and blood pressure. An invasive catheter can also be employed, but such instrumentation should not delay emergency revascularization of the infarct-related artery. Once rapid volume infusion results in increases in JVP (or, invasively, the pulmonary capillary wedge pressure) to approximately 15 mmHg without corresponding increases in aortic pressure, further volume expansion is not likely to improve hemodynamics [52].

Nitrates, which are often used to relieve angina, and diuretics, which are given to patients with evidence of pulmonary congestion, should be avoided, as they both reduce RV preload. Similarly, opioid drugs may lower preload. An increase in vagal tone caused by insertion of a bladder catheter can acutely decrease preload and lead to cardiogenic shock.

While awaiting the potential benefits of volume loading (or if fluids alone are not sufficient), severe hypotension must be stabilized through administration of inotropic therapy and vasopressors. (See 'Inotropic drugs' below.)

Optimization of right ventricular afterload — RV output may be further compromised by abnormally high RV afterload, which can occur for a variety of reasons, including:

LV dysfunction with elevation in pulmonary venous pressure

Hypoxemia from interstitial pulmonary edema, with pulmonary artery vasoconstriction

Alpha-adrenergic agonists causing pulmonary vasoconstriction

Mechanical ventilation with positive end-expiratory pressure

In patients with predominant RV dysfunction, RV afterload reducing therapy is not indicated and may worsen the hemodynamic profile. In patients with RVMI and significant LV dysfunction, the use of an intraaortic balloon pump and, occasionally, afterload reducing agents, may be effective in unloading the LV and, subsequently, the RV [28].

Optimization of heart rate and atrioventricular synchrony — In patients with RVMI, the indications for atropine and temporary pacemakers are similar to those in the broad population of patients with MI.

The ischemic RV has a relatively fixed stroke volume and, therefore, RV output is dependent upon heart rate and optimal transport of blood from the right atrium to the RV (referred to as AV transport). (See 'Hemodynamic consequences' above.)

As a result, bradyarrhythmias can significantly worsen the hemodynamic status. Atropine may be beneficial to increase heart rate [53], but RV or AV sequential pacing (to provide an atrial contribution and AV synchrony) may be necessary [2,28,39,54]. However, RV ischemia may lead to suboptimal results from pacing of the RV. The use of atropine and the indications for temporary transvenous pacing in patients with acute MI are discussed elsewhere. (See "Temporary cardiac pacing", section on 'Acute MI' and "Conduction abnormalities after myocardial infarction", section on 'Unstable inferior MI patients'.)

The development of significant bradycardia with hypotension after reperfusion is not uncommon in patients with inferior MI with RV involvement. Profound bradycardia may be followed by ventricular fibrillation. Some of our authors give atropine before PCI if there is evidence of vagotonia as suggested by a heart rate <55 beats per minute, even without hypotension.

Inotropic drugs — When fluid resuscitation is insufficient, hypotension should be rapidly corrected with an inotropic agent that also exerts vasoconstrictor effects. Although many vasopressors have been used since the 1940s, few controlled clinical trials have directly compared these agents or documented improved outcomes due to their use [55]. Thus, the manner in which these agents are commonly used largely reflects expert opinion, animal data, and the use of surrogate endpoints such as tissue oxygenation as a proxy for decreased morbidity and mortality.

Use of an agent that has alpha agonist vasopressor properties is essential; therefore, norepinephrine or dopamine have been employed, the latter exerting more arrhythmogenic effects. Studies in LV shock suggest that norepinephrine confers greater survival benefit compared with dopamine, but no such studies have been performed in shock due to RVMI. The usual starting dose of norepinephrine is 0.05 mcg/kg per minute, which is uptitrated to achieve systolic pressure >90 mmHg. The usual starting dose of dopamine is 5 mcg/kg per minute. The dose is titrated up to 15 mcg/kg per minute, depending upon the clinical response. Frequent ventricular ectopy and ventricular tachycardia may limit the use of this drug. (See "Use of vasopressors and inotropes", section on 'Dopamine'.)

Dobutamine has been touted to exert positive inotropic effects on the failing RV, though such observations are derived primarily from patients with severe pulmonary hypertension as the etiology of RV compromise. Owing to lack of pure alpha vasopressor effects, dobutamine is not the drug of choice when the primary goal is rapid restoration of mean aortic pressure in those with frank shock due to RVMI. Dobutamine has been anecdotally used in combination with other inotropes for intractable RV failure. The usual starting dose of dobutamine is 5 mcg/kg per minute. The dose is titrated up to 20 mcg/kg per minute depending upon the clinical response. Frequent ventricular ectopy and ventricular tachycardia may limit the use of doses above 10 mcg/kg per minute. In addition, since dobutamine decreases peripheral vascular resistance, higher doses may cause hypotension since the cardiac output cannot increase to match the decrease in systemic vascular resistance. (See "Use of vasopressors and inotropes", section on 'Dobutamine'.)

Based on clinical experience and some studies, when increasing doses and/or prolonged duration of inotropes/vasopressors are necessary to maintain hemodynamics, mechanical circulatory support may be required [56]. (See 'Mechanical assist devices' below.)

Coronary reperfusion — Early reperfusion using either primary PCI or fibrinolytic therapy can preserve both right and left ventricular function as well as reduce mortality and morbidity [7,12,20]. The indications for and success with these modalities in patients with RVMI are similar to those in patients with LV MI [28,39]. (See "Primary percutaneous coronary intervention in acute ST elevation myocardial infarction: Determinants of outcome" and "Acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction: The use of fibrinolytic therapy".)

Patients in whom reperfusion is achieved typically show a dramatic improvement in the hemodynamic profile within 24 hours and exhibit rapid and complete recovery of RV function. Successfully reperfused patients have dramatically lower incidence of sustained bradyarrhythmias, tachyarrhythmias, and hypotension, which translates into excellent short- and long-term survival [12].

Mechanical assist devices — An intraaortic balloon pump is useful for the management of patients with cardiogenic shock due to LV dysfunction. Although there are little data on its benefits in shock due to RVMI, we have found it helpful in stabilizing aortic pressure and improving systemic perfusion in some patients and thus may be temporizing in refractory hypotension while performing emergency percutaneous revascularization and subsequently awaiting recovery of RV function. (See 'Hemodynamic consequences' above and "Intraaortic balloon pump counterpulsation" and "Treatment and prognosis of cardiogenic shock complicating acute myocardial infarction".)

In cases with RV shock refractory to the above interventions, RV assist devices may be life-saving, as the ischemic RV ultimately tends to recover over time [57]. The rationale for their use is that forward flow into the pulmonary artery may be improved [58]. The advent of percutaneous RV assist devices has expanded the portfolio of hemodynamic support for RVMI with refractory shock. These devices may provide adequate hemodynamic support to the failing right heart in anticipation of recovery of right heart function.

The Tandem Heart Percutaneous RV support system has been effective in case reports [57,58].

The US Food and Drug Administration has approved the Impella RP pump, a novel, dedicated percutaneous catheter-based microaxial pump that is designed for short-term hemodynamic support for the right heart [59]. The Impella RP is advanced through the femoral vein antegrade and positioned across the pulmonary valves, with pump inflow positioned in the inferior vena cava and outflow in the pulmonary artery at the rate of up to 4 L/min. The feasibility and safety of this system has been established in a pivotal study of patient suffering predominant RV shock, including from acute RV infarction [56]. The Impella RP improves hemodynamics in patients with severe RV failure complicated by refractory life-threatening low-output hypotension. The right-sided flow provided by Impella RP support increases cardiac index and decreases central venous pressure, thereby providing a bridge to recovery or other therapies for RV failure.

Antiischemic drug therapy — Beta blockers and calcium channel blockers, which might be considered as tools to improve ischemia, can reduce heart rate and contractility and slow AV conduction.

These drugs should be avoided in patients with RVMI who are hemodynamically unstable. They can be tried with careful monitoring in those who are stable and have a clear indication [2].

Recommendations of others — Guidelines from the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association and from the European Society of Cardiology make specific recommendations for the management of patients with RVMI [60,61]. These recommendations are similar to those made in this topic review.

PROGNOSIS — The presence of significant RV involvement in acute MI adversely affects the early outcome. Persistent RV dysfunction adversely affects the late prognosis.

Early prognosis — Prior to the use of primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), meta-analyses found that RV involvement in patients with an acute inferior MI was associated with a worse in-hospital outcome due primarily to persistent hypotension and arrhythmias [9,12,20,62-64]. In a meta-analysis of six studies, which included 1198 patients, the presence of RV involvement (compared with no RV involvement) was associated with a higher incidence of short-term death (odds ratio [OR] 3.2, 95% CI 2.4-4.1), cardiogenic shock (OR 3.2, 95% CI 2.4-3.5), sustained ventricular tachyarrhythmias (OR 2.7, 95% CI 2.1-3.5), and advanced AV block (OR 3.4, 95% CI 2.7-4.2) [63]. The increase in mortality appeared to be related to the presence of RV involvement and not to infarct size.

Among patients who are diagnosed with RVMI and cardiogenic shock, in-hospital mortality has been reported to be 23 and 53 percent in two studies [65,66]. In patients with RVMI suffering acute hypotension, successful PCI typically results in prompt and dramatic improvement of hemodynamics and excellent clinical outcomes. Therefore, in the modern primary PCI reperfusion era, persistent and refractory RV shock due to RVMI are uncommon. In those few patients suffering ongoing hemodynamic compromise, increasing need for inotropic support both with respect to requirements for multiple agents and prolonged duration portend worse prognosis (which is true for all cardiogenic shock patients, including RVMI). Accordingly, in those patients with RVMI who suffer hypotension that does not rapidly respond to successful reperfusion therapy, if more than minimal inotropic support is necessary, early intervention with mechanical support should be considered. (See "Treatment and prognosis of cardiogenic shock complicating acute myocardial infarction".)

Long-term prognosis — The prognosis of patients with RVMI has dramatically improved with the advent of routinely applied emergency percutaneous revascularization [12]. The RV typically recovers much of its function [7,8,13,16,46].

In those who survive RVMI, the long-term prognosis is primarily determined by the extent of LV involvement. This is particularly true with anterior MI where damage to the RV is much less than with inferior MI (7 versus 28 percent) [1]. Nearly complete recovery of RV function has been shown to occur in 62 to 82 percent of patients within the first few months [7,8]. Chronic right heart failure attributable only to RV infarction is rare. Even in those without successful reperfusion, if they survive, RV function returns to near normal at rest and with exercise [14].

Over the long term, a persistent reduction in RV function appears to be associated with a worse long-term prognosis [8]. This was illustrated in a study of 147 patients more than 30 days after MI (mean age of infarct 6.7 years) in whom the RVEF was assessed with contrast-enhanced CMR imaging [67]. During a mean follow-up of 17 months, patients with an RVEF <40 percent had a significantly higher mortality compared with those with an RVEF >40 percent (adjusted hazard ratio 2.9).

SOCIETY GUIDELINE LINKS — Links to society and government-sponsored guidelines from selected countries and regions around the world are provided separately. (See "Society guideline links: Non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndromes (non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction)" and "Society guideline links: ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI)".)

SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Clinical presentation – Right ventricular myocardial infarction (RVMI) commonly accompanies acute infarction of the inferior wall of the left ventricle (LV), occurring in more than one-third of such cases. The majority of RV infarcts result from occlusion of the proximal right coronary artery. (See 'Introduction' above.)

Diagnosis – The diagnosis of RVMI can be strongly suspected when hypotension, raised jugular venous pressure (JVP; distended neck veins), and clear lung fields are present in a patient whose 12-lead ECG has findings of an inferior wall infarction as well as ST elevation in lead V4R.

Differential diagnosis – As patients with other diagnoses, such as pericarditis with pericardial tamponade or pulmonary embolism (PE), may present with a similar picture, the diagnosis is usually secured when echocardiography shows RV cavity dilation and impaired RV free wall motion. For those uncommon patients in whom either RVMI or PE remains a diagnostic possibility after echocardiography, additional testing, such as helical computed tomography scanning or ventilation/perfusion scanning, may be necessary to establish the diagnosis. (See 'Clinical presentation' above and 'Diagnosis' above and 'Differential diagnosis' above.)

Antiischemic drug therapy – In general, patients with RVMI are treated in a manner similar to those with acute ST-elevation MI (STEMI). This includes the early use of dual oral antiplatelet (aspirin plus a platelet P2Y12 receptor blocker) and statin therapy as well as anticoagulant. However, drugs that lower preload (eg, nitrates or diuretics), slow heart rate (eg, beta blockers), or decrease contractility (eg, calcium channel blockers) need to be used with caution. Reperfusion, particularly with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), should be initiated as soon as possible. (See 'Treatment' above.)

Preload optimization – For patients with evidence of low cardiac output, clear lung fields, and normal or low JVP, small boluses of normal saline should be administered. Medications that decrease preload, such as nitrates or opioids, should be avoided. (See 'Optimization of right ventricular preload' above.)

Afterload optimization – Patients with predominant RVMI do not benefit from afterload-reducing therapy with either an intraaortic balloon pump or vasodilating agents (figure 1). However, some patients have increased RV afterload due to LV dysfunction and their hemodynamic profile is determined by biventricular dysfunction. In this setting, the use of an intraaortic balloon pump or, in uncommon cases, vasodilating agents, may improve the hemodynamic profile. (See 'Optimization of right ventricular afterload' above.)

Inotropic therapy – For patients with persistent hypotension after an attempt to optimize RV preload with normal saline boluses, we suggest adding dopamine (Grade 2C). The usual starting dose is 5 mcg/kg per minute. (See 'Inotropic drugs' above.)

Heart rhythm therapy – As bradycardia and atrioventricular dyssynchrony can rapidly worsen the hemodynamic status of patients with RVMI, attempts to correct these electrical abnormalities should be instituted early. The indications for the use of atropine and temporary transvenous pacing are similar to those for the broad population of patients with MI. (See 'Optimization of heart rate and atrioventricular synchrony' above.)

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Topic 75 Version 27.0

References

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