Right ventricular myocardial infarction in the era of primary percutaneous coronary intervention

Right ventricular involvement (RVMI) is a relatively frequent complication in patients developing ST-elevation acute myocardial infarction. The initial diagnosis is most often established using electrocardiography or echocardiography. The gold standard among imaging techniques is cardiac magnetic resonance, which allows to distinguish between reversible and irreversible myocardial damage. The key treatment strategy is emergent revascularization by primary percutaneous coronary intervention whereas patients with hypotension and cardiogenic shock due to the RVMI require fluid replacement and catecholamine therapy. In cases where the shock state progresses despite an adequate management, short- or, possibly, long-term mechanical assist device should be implanted either percutaneously or surgically. Despite appreciable advances in the diagnosis and management, RVMI remains an independent predictor of early as well as late complications (Fig. 6, Ref. 62).