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Published on: February 1, 2022
Anterior ST-segment elevation with right coronary artery occlusion: a unique case of isolated right ventricular
Kamran I Muhammad1, Samir R Kapadia
1Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio 44195, USA. muhammk@ccf.org
Insights
An unusual case showed anterior ST-segment elevation mimicking anterior myocardial infarction. This was caused by right coronary artery occlusion, leading to isolated right ventricular infarction, not left ventricular damage.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Electrocardiography
- Myocardial Infarction
Background:
- Anterior ST-segment elevation typically indicates anterior left ventricular myocardial infarction from left anterior descending artery occlusion.
- Anterior ST-segment elevation can also occur with right coronary artery occlusion, usually with concurrent inferior ST-segment elevation.
Observation:
- This article reports a unique case of proximal right coronary artery occlusion.
- The occlusion caused anterior ST-segment elevation without the typical inferior ST-segment elevation.
Findings:
- Coronary angiography revealed left-to-right collaterals protecting the inferior left ventricular wall.
- This protection led to isolated right ventricular infarction despite proximal right coronary artery occlusion.
Implications:
- This case highlights that anterior ST-segment elevation can result from isolated right ventricular infarction.
- Understanding this electrocardiographic pattern is crucial for accurate diagnosis and treatment of coronary artery disease.
Abstract:
Anterior ST-segment elevation is the classic electrocardiographic feature of anterior left ventricular myocardial infarction due to occlusion of the left anterior descending artery. However, anterior ST-segment elevation has also been described in patients with right coronary artery occlusion, in whom concomitant inferior ST-segment elevation is also typically present. A case of proximal right coronary artery occlusion resulting in anterior ST-segment elevation without inferior ST-segment elevation is reported in this article. It is hypothesized that the inferior left ventricular wall was protected by left-to-right collaterals, as seen on coronary angiography, with resultant isolated right ventricular infarction upon proximal right coronary artery occlusion. In conclusion, this report presents a unique case of an isolated right ventricular infarction resulting in an electrocardiographic pattern mimicking anterior-wall left ventricular infarction.
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