The effects of urgent percutaneous coronary intervention on right ventricular systolic functions in non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndromes

BACKGROUND: Although the importance of the right ventricle (RV) involvement has been known for many years in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), it is scarce in non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS). OBJECTIVES: We aimed to investigate the effects of urgent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) on the RV systolic functions in patients with NSTE-ACS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety-five patients diagnosed with NSTE-ACS and who underwent urgent PCI were prospectively investigated. RV systolic functions were analyzed and compared before and after PCI in all patients by using RV index of myocardial performance (RIMP), tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), two-dimensional (2D) RV fractional area change (FAC), and isovolumic acceleration (IVA) parameters with transthoracic echocardiography. RESULTS: Among 95 NSTE-ACS patients, 31 had impaired RIMP, 13 had impaired TAPSE, 8 had decreased 2D FAC, and 32 had impaired IVA values at baseline. There was a significant increase in 2D FAC and IVA values after PCI. CONCLUSIONS: The right ventricular functions may also be affected in patients with NSTE-ACS, and urgent PCI has a significant effect on the recovery of right ventricular systolic functions in patients with NSTE-ACS.