title: Refractory Cardiogenic Shock from Right Ventricular Infarction Successfully Managed with Inhaled Epoprostenol.
abstract: BACKGROUND Recognition and appropriate management of right ventricular (RV) infarction is essential, as RV injury increases mortality and substantially alters management during acute coronary syndrome. We report a case of RV infarction presenting with new right bundle branch block (RBBB), and therapeutic use of inhaled epoprostenol to reduce RV afterload and augment cardiac output during refractory cardiogenic shock. CASE REPORT A 53-year-old male presented to our institution in ventricular fibrillation with subsequent development of RBBB in the setting of proximal right coronary artery occlusion. Following percutaneous coronary intervention, the patient developed severe RV dysfunction with refractory cardiogenic shock. This was successfully managed with inhaled epoprostenol with normalization of right ventricular systolic function. CONCLUSIONS Although typically associated with anterior myocardial infarction, new RBBB should be recognized as a potential presenting sign of acute RV infarction. The use of inhaled epoprostenol in the setting of RV infarction has not been previously described, but it may augment right ventricular cardiac output via pulmonary vasodilatation.
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA.
authors.forename: Natalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Held
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA.
authors.forename: Nathaniel
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Little
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA.|Department of Internal Medicine - Cardiology, Denver Health Medical Center, Denver, CO, USA.
authors.forename: Mori J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Krantz
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA.|Department of Internal Medicine - Cardiology, Denver Health Medical Center, Denver, CO, USA.
authors.forename: Brian L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Stauffer
mesh_terms: D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002037:Bundle-Branch Block / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D054059:Coronary Occlusion / Q000150:complications; D011464:Epoprostenol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy; D062645:Percutaneous Coronary Intervention; D012770:Shock, Cardiogenic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D018497:Ventricular Dysfunction, Right / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology
chemical_list: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D011464:Epoprostenol