[Isolated right ventricular infarction of coronary origin. Three cases]

In a series of more than 700 patients admitted over a 2-year period to an intensive care unit, 3 patients with isolated right ventricular infarction were observed. At electrocardiography the condition was characterized by isolated ST elevation in the anterior precordial leads. Infarction was due to obstruction of a right marginal coronary artery in 2 cases and of a small right coronary artery feeding only the right ventricle in one case. In the absence of electrocardiographic signs in the inferior territory, this ST elevation is suggestive of an anterior infarction in constitution, but the characteristic "dome-like" shape of the elevation, its decrease from V2 or V3 to V4 or V5 and the progressive regression of repolarization disorders without occurrence of Q wave suggest a diagnosis of right ventricular infarction. This diagnosis can rapidly be confirmed by a normal left ventricular function at echocardiography.