2. Introduction
Acute myocardial infarction (MI) involving only the right ventricle is an
uncommon event.
In 1930, Sanders first described the syndrome of RVMI with the triad of
hypotension, increased JVP, and clear lung fields.
RV involvement in myocardial infarction was first described in 1974.
In 1979, Cohn published a classic report in which RVMI was described as
distinct entity.
Occurs in 30-50% of Inferior wall STEMI.
Isolated RVMI occurs in 3-5% of cases.
RVMI is associated with higher in-hospital morbidity and mortality due to
profound hemodynamic and electrical complications which occur in
approximately 50 percent of affected individuals.
Mortality from RV shock = Mortality from LV shock
RV recovery >>>> LV recovery
3. RIGHTVENTRICLE
Trabeculated endocardial
surface
Thin walled (< 5mm)
Three papillary muscles
Moderator band
Triangular shaped cavity
Tricuspid atrioventricular
valve with relatively apical
insertion
Crista supraventricularis
separates the tricuspid and
pulmonary valves
LEFTVENTRICLE
Smooth endocardial surface
Thick walled
Two papillary muscles
False tendon
Elliptical shaped cavity
Mitral atrioventricular valve
with relatively basal insertion
The mitral and aortic valves
share fibrous continuity
4. RV PHYSIOLOGY AT A GLANCE
The RV wall is thinner (< 5mm) and more complaint than the LV
wall.
Composed of circumferential fibers in the subepicardium and
longtudional fibers in the subendocardium.
There is inward, longitudinal, and circumferential traction in RV due
to LV contraction.
Longitudinal shortening is the major contributor to the overall RV
performance.
Normal RV contraction occurs as a peristaltic wave directed from
inflow to infundibulum.
RV pumps the same stroke volume as the LV but uses only 25% of
the stroke work because of low resistance of pulmonary
vasculature.
RV is closely connected to LV:
◦ Share a wall (IVS)
◦ RV free wall is attached to the anterior and inferior IVS
◦ Have mutually encircling epicardial fibers
◦ Share the same intrapericardial space
◦ Ventricular Interdependence
5.
6. ARTERIAL
SEGMENT
ARTERIAL
BRANCH
PERFUSED
REGION
ECG EFFECTS
OF ISCHEMIA
Proximal segment Conus branch Outflow tract of
RV
SA nodal branch SA node Sinus bradycardia
Right atrial branch Atrial free wall Atrial fibrillation
Atrial infarct pattern
Middle segment Lateral RV branch Lateral RV free wall
STE and Q waves in
leads V3R – V6RAcute Marginal Inferior(Posterior)
RV free wall
Distal segment AV nodal branch AV node AV block
Posterior descending
segment
Posterior lateral LV
branch
Posterior descending
artery
Posterior LV
Inferior septum
Inferior LV free
wall
STE and Q waves in
II, III, aVF
7. Factors that make the right
ventricle less susceptible to
infarction:
8. LC blood flow is impeded by
extravascular compressive forces
generated by systolic LV contraction.
These forces are so high that LC blood
flow is briefly reversed.
LC blood flow increases to a maximum
early in diastole and then falls
gradually following the decline in aortic
pressure during the remainder of
diastole.
Because of a lower developed pressure
in the RV, there is no systolic inhibition
of RC blood flow.
RC blood flow follows the shape of the
aortic pressure curve and remains
appreciable throughout the entire
cardiac cycle.
9. 2) Reduced myocardial oxygen demand because of smaller
muscle mass and low afteralod.
3) Reduced myocardial oxygen uptake and blood flow
4) Oxygen extraction reserve
5) More extensive collateral flow from left to right coronary
arteries
6) Greater degree of ischemic preconditioning
7) Ability to downregulate the metabolic demand during
coronary hypoperfusion.
10. Pathophysiology
RVI results in reduced RV systolic contraction (RVSP and PP are
decreased)
RVI results in RV diastolic dysfunction (elevated right sided filling
pressures like CVP, RA, and RVEDP).
Reduction in RV output & blood supply to the lungs.
Reduced pulmonary flow decreases pulmonary venous return to LA
and LV. (decreases LV preload and LV filling).
Reduced LV output and systolic BP.
RVI leads to RV dilatation which alters the motion of IVS; i.e. leftward
shift of septum during diastole which further impedes LV filling and
eventually reduces CO.
LV dyssynchrony due to abnormal septal motion and loss of AV
synchrony when there is AV block also leads to decreased CO.
Dilatation of RV enlarges tricuspid annulus which results in functional
TR that further reduces RV output.
When RCA occlusion is proximal to right atrial branch, RA ischemia
occurs that diminishes its contraction and increases RA pressure and
further increases the probability of atrial arrhythmia.
11. Elevated right sided filling pressure in the
presence of normal pulmonary artery and left
sided filling pressure is the hallmark of RVI
RA pressure: 10 mm Hg
PCWP: 1-5 mm Hg
Sensitivity: 73%
Specificity: 100%
13. Symptoms Signs
Clinical Features
Chest pain
Diaphoresis
Nausea and Vomiting
Syncope (if AV block)
Palpitation
Dizziness
Anxiety
Triad of hypotension, raised
JVP, and clear chest
Jugular venous pressure:
Prominent a wave & x descent if
RA ischemia is absent
Diminished a wave, x & y
descents if RA ischemia is
present
If TR present: Prominent a wave,
c-v wave (Lancisi’s sign), & y
descent and absent x descent
Kussmaul’s sign: Highly
predictive of RVMI in the setting
of IWMI
Pulsus paradoxus
Right sided S3
14. INFERIOR WALL MI
RIGHT CORONARY
ARTERY
LEFT CIRCUMFLEX
ARTERY
STE III > II
ST depression aVL > I
S/R ratio in aVL > 3
V3/III sign (ST↓ V3/
STE III ratio)
<0.5: Prox RCA
0.5-1.2: Distal
RCA
>1.2: LCx
RAD of ST vector
(lead III)
STE II > III
No ST ↓ in aVL
S/R ratio in aVL < 3
V3/III sign > 1.2
LAD of ST vector
(lead II)
15. RVMI FROM 12 LEAD ECG
ST elevation in III > II (Pathognomonic of RVMI)
ST elevation in V1 > V2
ST elevation in V1 + ST depression in V2 (Highly specific for RVMI)
ST elevation in aVF > ST depression in V2
Isoelectric ST segment in V1 with marked ST depression in V2
ST depression in I + aVL > 2 mm
ST depression in V2 ≤ 50% of STE in aVF
ST depression in V3 < ½ STE in III
Isolated RVMI from non-dominant RCA: ST elevation in V1-V4 (mimics AWMI; ST
segment maximal in V1 in RVMI whereas it is minimal in AWMI)
ST elevation in the right sided leads is a transient phenomenon, lasting
less than 10 hours in 50% of patients with RV infarction
16. RVMI FROM A RIGHT SIDED
ECG
The precordial leads are placed
over the right side of the chest in
a mirror image pattern to normal.
Right sided leads V4R, V5R, &
V6R should be obtained in any
patient with inferior wall
infarction.
ST elevation in V4R > 1mm:
Sensitivity: 100%
Specificity: 87%
Positive predictive value: 92%
Correlates with occlusion of proximal
RCA.
18. *
*Sensitivity: 82% & Specificity: 93% for detection of RVI.
*The specificity may be decreased by pre-existent pulmonary
diseases (COPD, PE)
*Most specific: RV free wall hypokinesia
*RV dilatation with paradoxical septal motion
*RA dilatation and increased RAP
*RV systolic dysfunction
*Functional tricuspid regurgitation : Hallmark
*Persistent bowing of IAS from right to left (RAP > LAP)
*Patent PFO on saline contrast echo leading to profound
hypoxemia
*Dilated IVC with poor respirophasic variation
19. Qualitative
Quantitative
RV dilatation
In A4CH view
Mildly enlarged:
RV is enlarged but < LV
Moderately enlarged:
RV = LV
Severely enlarged:
RV > LV
Apex of heart comprised of
RV
In RV focused A4CH at end-
diastole
RV basal diameter > 4.2 cm
RV midcavity diameter > 3.5 cm
RV longitudional diameter > 8.6
cm
RVOT PLAX proximal diameter
> 3.5 cm
RVOT PSAX distal diameter >
2.7 cm
20. Measured at end-diastole
Major dimension: >
53mm
Distance from the
superior wall to the TA
Minor dimension: >
44mm
Distance from interatrial
septum to the
anterolateral wall
RA area: > 18 cm2
IVC
diameter
(cm)
Respons
e to sniff
RA
pressure
(mm Hg)
≤ 2.1 > 50%
collapsibl
e
3
≤ 2.1 < 50%
collapsibl
e
8
> 2.1 < 50%
collapsibl
e
15
RA dilatation Estimation of RAP
23. PULSED WAVE
DOPPLER MPI
1) Tricuspid valve inflow &
Pulmonary valve outflow
doppler tracings are
acquired in RV modified
A4CH and PSAX views.
2) Time duration from the
end of A wave to the
onset of E wave is
calculated. (TV closure
to opening time)
3) RVET from pulmonary
doppler tracing is
measured.
4) Isovolumic time =
(RVET – TV A to E
duration)
5) RVMPI = Isovolumic
time/RVET
6) In this case it is (386 –
271)/271 = 0.43
25. OTHER IMAGING STUDIES FOR RVMI
Radionuclide
ventriculography &
99mTC-pyrophosphate
myocardial scintigraphy
are sometimes used.
Standard imaging
technique for detailed
evaluation of RV
structure & function.
RV free wall
myonecrosis is
indicated by late
gadolinium
enhancement.
Nuclear Imaging Cardiac MRI
26. Hemodynamic monitoring
O Done if a secure diagnosis of RVMI by echo is not
possible.
O Done by placement of a pulmonary artery catheter.
O Done cautiously as ischemic RV is prone to catheter-
induced ventricular arrhythmias.
Characteristics of a hemodynamically significant RV
infarct
RA pressure ≥10 mm Hg
Ratio of RAP to PCWP > 0.8 (Normal is < 0.6)
Decreased cardiac index
Equalization of diastolic filling pressures of RA, RV, PCWP
& LV
Square root sign
27. Acute pulmonary embolism
Cardiac tamponade
Constrictive pericarditis
Restrictive cardiomyopathy
Severe pulmonary hypertension
Acute anteroseptal wall MI (STE inV1 andV2
seen with an RV injury pattern)
28. MANAGEMENT
Optimization of RV preload:
• IV Fluid ( Isotonic saline) in patients with hypotension & low/N JVP
• 300-600ml preferably through central line over 10-15 minutes while
serially assessing JVP and BP
• Invasive hemodynamic monitoring with a Swan Gang Catheter
• Target PCWP: not to exceed 20 mm Hg
Avoidance of Nitrates, Diuretics, & Opoids:
• Cause venodilatation and further reduces RV preload
Ionotropic agents:
• Hemodynamic instability (raised RAP & PCWP) despite adequate IVF
• Dopamine is the initial agent of choice (5 – 15 mcg/kg/min)
• Dobutamine @ 5 – 20 mcg/kg/min
• Milrinone
• Levosimenden
29. Coronary reperfusion:
◦ Either PPCI or thrombolysis can preserve both LV and RV
function thereby improving clinical, hemodynamic, and survival
parameters.
◦ Reduces chances of ventricular arrhythmias.
◦ RV function recovers completely within 24 hours.
30. Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump (IABP):
• Cardiogenic shock due to LV dysfunction
• Little benefits in shock due to RVMI
• Still can be used for temporary stabilization
• Increases RV perfusion pressure & improves septal
contraction
RV Mechanical assist devices:
• Medically refractory cases despite successful reperfusion
• Tandem-Heart Percutaneous Ventricular Assist Device
31. AV sequential pacing:
• The ischemic RV has a fixed stroke volume
• RV output depends upon heart rate & atrioventricular transport
• In patients requiring pacing, ventricular pacing alone may fail to
increase cardiac output
• Atropine and Temporary pacemaker
Inhaled Nitric Oxide:
• Decreases PVR without any effect on SVR
• Decreases RV afterload and increases BP
Valve replacement or repair with annuloplasty rings
PFO Occluder device for hypoxemia due to right to left
shunt across IAS.
32. STANDARD MI TREATMENT
Aspirin
P2Y12 receptor blocker
Statin
Anticoagulant
Nitrate
Opoids
Beta blocker
Diuretics
GIVE DO NOT GIVE
33. PROGNOSIS
Higher incidence of
cardiogenic shock, ventricular
arrhythmia, advanced AV
block, and death if PCI not
done.
In-hospital mortality: 23 and
53% with cardiogenic shock
in 2 different studies.
PPCI results in prompt &
dramatic improvement in
hemodynamics with excellent
clinical outcomes.
Determined by extent of LV
involvement.
Near complete RV recovery
in 62-82% of patients within
first few months
Short term prognosis Long term prognosis