Diffuse precordial ST-segment elevation in inferior-right myocardial infarction

Cardiol J. 2010;17(6):628-31.

Abstract

A right ventricular (RV) myocardial infarction (MI) may yield precordial ST-segment elevation (STE). Accordingly, combined inferior and precordial STE may be produced during an inferior-RV MI. Such an electrocardiographic picture may be mistakenly regarded as showing wrapped left anterior descending artery (LADA) occlusion or double vessel occlusion. We present a patient with inferior-RV MI and STE in the inferior, all precordial and right chest leads, in whom the diffuse precordial STE was probably mistakenly regarded as showing anterior MI. However, the STE resolution in V1-V2 and late R' wave in V1, which were combined with a recanalized RV branch, favored the RV origin of this STE. Furthermore, the LADA was patent when V3-V6 showed severe ischemia, while its lesion was angiographically stable. Thus its simultaneous occlusion was unlikely. The late R' wave in V1 indicates RV transmural conduction delay;as highlighted herein, it is diagnostic of a RV myocardial infarction.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary / instrumentation
  • Coronary Angiography
  • Coronary Occlusion / complications
  • Coronary Occlusion / diagnosis*
  • Coronary Occlusion / physiopathology
  • Coronary Occlusion / therapy
  • Electrocardiography*
  • Heart Conduction System / physiopathology*
  • Humans
  • Inferior Wall Myocardial Infarction / diagnosis*
  • Inferior Wall Myocardial Infarction / etiology
  • Inferior Wall Myocardial Infarction / physiopathology
  • Inferior Wall Myocardial Infarction / therapy
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Stents
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Ventricular Function, Right*