Evolution of right ventricular function post-acute ST elevation myocardial infarction

To characterize the evolution of right ventricular (RV) function post-myocardial infarction (MI), to describe the culprit vessel involved with RV injury and to assess the concordance between RV injury on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and RV infarct on electrocardiogram (EKG).

Thirty-one patients underwent cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) examinations at three time frames post-ST elevation MI (STEMI).

Of those with an initial normal scan, RV function did not significantly change over time (60.6 ± 6.3, 57.8 ± 6.0, 55.4 ± 5.7, P > 0.05). However, in those whose RVEF (RV ejection fraction) was initially low, it significantly increased from the first scan to the third scan (46.2 ± 3.6, 50 ± 6.6, 51.3 ± 5.2, P < 0.01). Post-hoc testing revealed a significant difference between the 48-hour and the 6-month scan, and between the 48-hour and the 3-week scan; however, there was no significant difference between the 3-week and 6-month scans. Interestingly, 23% of patients with low RVEF at baseline had the left anterior descending (LAD) as the culprit vessel. Only 15% of the low RVEF at baseline group were classified as having an RVMI by EKG criteria.

The optimal timepoint to assess for RV injury via CMR may be 3 weeks post-acute MI. Standard EKG criteria may underestimate RV injury when compared to CMR.