Right ventricular infarction
Article Abstract:
The outcome of heart attack patients may depend on the type of heart attack they have. A heart attack affecting the inferior wall of the heart may have a significantly better prognosis than one affecting the anterior wall. An inferior heart attack affects the blood supply to a much smaller area of the heart than an anterior heart attack. Involvement of the right ventricle, one of the lower chambers of the heart, occurs in many patients who have an inferior heart attack. A research study found that involvement of the right ventricle occurred in more than 50% of patients who had an inferior heart attack. Elevation of the ST segment in the V4R ECG lead was effective in identifying patients with involvement of the right ventricle. The risk of dying in the hospital was seven to eight times higher in patients with right ventricular involvement than in those without.
Publication Name: The New England Journal of Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0028-4793
Year: 1993
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
Acute myocardial infarction and left bundle-branch block - can we lift the veil?
Article Abstract:
Diagnosing heart attack in patients with left bundle-branch block still remains a mystery, despite much research. A 1996 study developed criteria to evaluate the ST segments of electrocardiograms of heart attack patients with left bundle-branch block. Further questions arise following the identification of abnormalities in the ST segment of the readout as clues to an impending heart attack. Serial electrocardiograms, enzyme analysis, details about the physiological properties of the affected heart artery, information about the area and size of the infarction are necessary to assess the damage to the heart. Aggressive treatment with thrombolytic therapy should begin immediately after the hospital admission of a patient with chest pain and left bundle-branch block.
Publication Name: The New England Journal of Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0028-4793
Year: 1996
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
The value of the right precordial leads of the electrocardiogram
Article Abstract:
Putting more ECG leads on the right side of the heart may be beneficial in patients with the symptoms of a heart attack. Traditionally, 12 leads, or electrodes, are used: six on the chest and six on the arms and legs. Most of the leads on the chest are placed on the left side. However, a 1999 study found that three additional leads on the right side increased the accuracy of an exercise stress test in detecting coronary artery disease. It could also be useful in heart attack patients because it would detect damage on the right side of the heart.
Publication Name: The New England Journal of Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0028-4793
Year: 1999
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
- Abstracts: Dexamethasone reverses the labor-associated myometrial desensitization to beta-adrenergic agonists in the rat
- Abstracts: Home unrest. Poor reward: a long-serving health visitor is saving for a private hip operation because her non-fundholding GP cannot refer her to a hospital than can provide the treatment she needs
- Abstracts: Tired of waiting. Ward leaders pivotal in safe recruitment process
- Abstracts: Adverse reactions. Support staff to sign 'code of conduct.' (St Richard's Hospital in Chichester, England, asks nursing auxiliaries and support workers to sign code of professional conduct)
- Abstracts: Protective instincts. Health staff fail to help prostitutes. Canadian club