Premature opening of the pulmonary valve in right ventricular myocardial infarction.

An echocardiogram performed in a patient with a large right ventricular infarction reveals a premature opening of the posterior leaflet of the pulmonic valve. This opening appears initiated by the atrial contraction and its clinical and pathophysiological significance is discussed. We conclude that perturbations of the pulmonary valvular motion can occur during right ventricular infarction and reflect a profound alteration in phasic right ventricular flow.