Right ventricular wall motion disturbance and determinants of the appearance of hemodynamic right ventricular infarction.

In order to elucidate the mechanisms of the appearance of hemodynamic right ventricular infarction (RVI), we studied right and left ventriculograms and hemodynamic findings in 52 patients with acute inferior myocardial infarction. Right ventricular wall motion disturbance (RVWMD) was detected in 69% of patient but hemodynamic RVI was observed only in 16%. Among patients with RVWMD, there was no significant difference in right ventricular ejection fraction between those with (group III) and without (group II) hemodynamic RVI, suggesting that right ventricular (RV) systolic dysfunction does not independently produce hemodynamic RVI. Right ventricular end-diastolic volume index was similar in groups II and III in spite of higher mRA in group III. The result suggested that the RV compliance of group III was decreased. Heart rate (HR) was significantly lower in group III than in group II. Not only physiologic pacing but also VVI pacing significantly improved hemodynamics in patients with hemodynamic RVI. A positive correlation between HR and cardiac index was observed (r = 0.56, p < 0.001) in patients with RVWMD. Decreased RV compliance and bradycardia were considered to be determinants of the appearance of hemodynamic RVI. Volume loading did not improve hemodynamics significantly in patients with hemodynamic RVI.