Sandbox:Mitra

Do's

• Right ventricular myocardial infarction (RVMI) should be ruled out in all patients presenting with acute inferior wall myocardial infarction, in particular in patients with hypotension.

• In patients presenting with chest pain and clinical findings of hypotension, elevated JVP and clear lung fields, consider the differential diagnoses of RVMI. These include:
  • Pulmonary embolism
  • Pericarditis with pericardial tamponade

• Systemic or pulmonary vasodilators may be considered in selected patients to reduce RV afterload, thereby improving cardiac output.

• In patients with severe tricuspid regurgitation due to RVMI, replacement of tricuspid valve or repair of the valve with annuloplasty rings may be considered.

• In patients with RVMI who have unexplained hypoxemia despite administration of 100% oxygen, right-to-left shunting -through a patent foramen ovale or atrial septal defect-, caused by the disproportionate elevation in right-sided filling pressures compared to the normal or slightly increased left-sided filling pressures should be considered.

• Patients with extensive necrosis due to RVMI may be at higher risk of right ventricular perforation during interventional procedures. Right ventricular catheterization or pacemaker insertion should be performed with great care in these patients.

Don'ts

• In patients with RVMI, avoid preload-reducing agents such as nitrates, diuretics, morphine, beta-blockers, and calcium channel blockers.