Acute Isolated Right Ventricular Infarction

Karim D Mahmoud1, Wijnand K Den Dekker1

  • 1Department of Cardiology, Thorax Center, Cardiovascular Institute, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.

JACC. Case Reports
|February 16, 2024
PubMed

Insights

The electrocardiogram (ECG) is vital for diagnosing ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. However, this case highlights that ECG findings can sometimes be misleading in identifying acute thrombotic lesions.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Medical Diagnostics

Background:

  • The electrocardiogram (ECG) is a cornerstone in diagnosing ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).
  • ECG interpretation guides interventional cardiologists in identifying acute occlusive coronary lesions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To present a case where electrocardiogram findings were deceptive in the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction.
  • To emphasize the potential limitations of ECG in guiding acute interventions.

Main Methods:

  • Case report presentation.
  • Review of electrocardiogram findings in the context of clinical presentation and diagnostic procedures.

Main Results:

  • The electrocardiogram suggested STEMI, but subsequent investigations revealed a different underlying pathology.
  • The initial ECG diagnosis did not accurately reflect the acute thrombotic lesion.

Conclusions:

  • Electrocardiogram interpretation in myocardial infarction requires careful consideration of the full clinical picture.
  • This case underscores the importance of corroborating ECG findings with other diagnostic tools to avoid diagnostic errors.

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