Tehran University Medical Journal (Jul 1997)
Right ventricle infarction and its characteristics
Abstract
Right ventricular (RV) infarction presents with clinical spectrum from a rather being, uncomplicated disorder to a serious event. A total of one hundred patients with inferior myocardial infarction (MI) retrospectively were studied to determine clinical significance and characteristics of RV infarction in our patients. Data and variables such as demographic features, chief-complain, clinical findings on arrival and during hospitalization, major risk factors, history of corpulmonale, and electrocardiogram were assessed. The mean age was 55±7.4. 16% had RV infarction. 69% were male and 31% female. Silent or atypical presentation was observed in 25%. 36% of men and all of women had previous history of angina pectoris (p=<0.05). In the course of acute inferior MI the frequency of various kinds of complication were higher among patients with RV MI. Early identification can lead to appropriate management and it might contribute to the prevention of some subsequent serious complication. However diagnosis of this condition requires a high degree of suspicion and the early recording of electrocardiagram through right precordial leads