title: Unusual right ventricular flow pattern in a patient with inferior wall myocardial infarction.
abstract: We describe a case of an unusual right ventricular flow pattern in a patient with inferior wall myocardial infarction associated with massive right ventricular infarction. Echocardiography was significant for nearly continuous antegrade flow through both the tricuspid and pulmonic valves demonstrated by color and pulsed wave Doppler. The tricuspid and pulmonic valves remained open throughout the cardiac cycle. These findings signify the nearly complete loss of right ventricular pumping function, and indicate that the right heart was serving as a passive conduit with a flow pattern similar to a vein.
authors.affiliation: New York University Medical Center, 550 First Avenue, New York, NY 10016, USA.
authors.forename: Daniel M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Spevack
authors.forename: Paul A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Tunick
authors.forename: Itzhak
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kronzon
mesh_terms: D018618:Echocardiography, Doppler, Color; D018619:Echocardiography, Doppler, Pulsed; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D018497:Ventricular Dysfunction, Right / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*