Short- and Long-term Prognostic Value of Right Ventricular Function in Patients with First Acute ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction Treated by Primary Angioplasty

Introduction: Limited data are known about the prognostic value of right ventricle (RV) function in patients with first acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). The aim of this study was to investigate the prognostic value of RV dysfunction in predicting both in-hospital and long-term outcomes in these patients, irrespective of the site of necrosis.

Methods: We enrolled 502 consecutive patients with first acute STEMI treated with primary angioplasty and underwent echocardiography within 48 hours of admission. RV function was evaluated by RV myocardial performance index (RVMPI), RV fractional area change (RVFAC), tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), pulsed tissue Doppler S' wave velocity, and RV global longitudinal strain (RVGLS) of the free wall. The occurrence of in-hospital major adverse cardiac events (MACE) and 1-year survival rate were recorded.

Results: In MACE group, RVFAC, TAPSE, and RV S' wave velocity were lower. However, RVMPI, RVGLS, and TR Vmax. were higher than MACE free group (P < .001). In multivariable analysis adjusted for other variables that predicted adverse outcomes, RVFAC < 35% (P < .001), TAPSE < 17 mm (P < .001), RVGLS > -17% (P < .001), RV S' wave velocity < 9.5 cm/s (P = .02), RVMPI > 0.43 (P < .001), and TR Vmax. > 2.8 m/s (P = .01) were strong independent predictors of in-hospital MACE. Lower 1-year survival was noted in patients with RV dysfunction, documented by these cutoffs values.

Conclusion: RV dysfunction, evidenced by multiparametric echocardiography, is predictive for adverse in-hospital outcomes, and lower 1-year survival rate in first acute STEMI regardless of the site of necrosis.