Electrocardiographic manifestations: right ventricular infarction.
The 12-lead electrocardiogram (EKG) is an essential tool when evaluating the Emergency Department (ED) patient with suspected cardiac ischemia. The standard EKG has limitations when evaluating "remote" areas of the heart such as the left posterior wall or right ventricular wall. Diagnosis of right ventricular infarction (RVI) in the presence of acute inferior wall myocardial infarction (MI) is made utilizing right-sided chest leads with high sensitivities and specificities. RVI is a serious ED problem because morbidity and mortality is higher in acute MIs associated with RVI.
Fijewski
Todd R
TR
Department of Emergency Medicine, York Hospital, York, Pennsylvania 17405, USA.
Pollack
Marc L
ML
Chan
Theodore C
TC
Brady
William J
WJ
D015906:Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000628:therapy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004562:Electrocardiography / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D018497:Ventricular Dysfunction, Right / Q000175:diagnosis