Acute myocardial infarction with ST segment elevation in inferior and anterior leads: right ventricular infarction

Frequency of Right Ventricular Infarction in Inferior Wall Myocardial Infarction

Background Ischemic heart disease, particularly inferior wall myocardial infarction (IWMI), is a significant issue in cardiac health. It can further add up to the morbidity and mortality when it is associated with right ventricular infarction (RVI). Elevated ST-segment elevations in the right chest lead number, three (V3R), and four (V4R), can be used to diagnose right ventricular infarction (RVI). The odds of RVI can be identified according to age groups, gender, and risk factors, including diabetes, hypertension, and smoking. This can help in the prevention of right ventricular infarct and its complications by controlling the risk factors which affect the outcome the most. Methods A sample of 1000 patients (n=1000) with acute IWMI was evaluated for the incidence of accompanying right ventricular infarct. These patients were then assessed for various known risk factors of myocardial infarction. Results Comparing the incidence of RVI against various risk factors, we found that there is an increased incidence of RVI in patients with risk factors that include hypertension and smoking.  Conclusions The study suggests that IWMI can be accompanied by RVI in almost one-third of the cases, (36% in our study). The odds of RVI are highest in patients of hypertension, and the timely control of certain risk factors will result in reduced incidence and hence the complication associated with right ventricular infarction.