Prognostic impact of right ventricular involvement in patients with acute myocardial infarction: meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between right ventricular involvement (RVI) in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and the increase in mortality and morbidity frequently suggested in the last two decades.

DESIGN

The authors conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis.

SETTING

This study was conducted at an academic medical center.

DATA SOURCE

The authors reviewed PubMed, BioMedCentral, and the Cochrane database and conducted a manual review of article bibliographies.

STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION

Using a prespecified search strategy, 22 relevant studies involving a total of 7,136 patients with AMI at baseline, of whom 1,963 had RVI (27.5%), were included in a meta-analysis using a random effects model. Pooled relative risks of the impact of RVI on patient mortality and morbidity were calculated.

MAIN RESULTS

An overall pooled relative risk mortality increase of 2.59 (95% confidence interval, 2.02-3.31) was found (Z = 7.57; p < .00001). RVI in AMI was also associated with a statistically significant increase in all secondary end points assessed, including cardiogenic shock, ventricular arrhythmias, advanced atrioventricular block, and mechanical complications.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results support the view that early recognition of RVI, namely by means of right electrocardiographic leads in acute myocardial infarction, may have prognostic value. Whether or not this recognition will permit improvement of outcomes through more aggressive percutaneous coronary intervention would need to be tested in future studies.