Right ventricular myocardial infarction with anterior wall left ventricular infarction: an autopsy study

Right ventricular myocardial infarction has been reported to occur exclusively in association with inferior left ventricular infarction. To determine the frequency of right ventricular myocardial infarction in association with anterior left ventricular myocardial infarction, all hearts with anterior myocardial infarction studied over a 3-year period were examined for evidence of right ventricular necrosis or scar. Of 97 hearts with anterior myocardial infarction, 13 (13%) had anterior right ventricular myocardial infarction. The right ventricular infarcts involved from 10% to 50% (mean 28%) of the circumference of the right ventricular free wall from base to apex. The associated left ventricular infarcts were all anteroseptal and large and involved from 36% to 67% (mean 50%) of the total area of the left ventricular free wall and septum. Nine of the 13 patients underwent equilibrium radionuclide angiography and six had demonstrable right ventricular regional and global dysfunction. Thus, right ventricular myocardial infarction does occur with anterior wall left ventricular infarction, and right ventricular dysfunction may be demonstrable by radionuclide angiography. Further investigation is needed to define the hemodynamic characteristics, clinical importance, and therapeutic implications of anterior right ventricular myocardial infarction.