Sequential Radionuclide Assessment of Left and Right Ventricular Performance after Acute Transmural Myocardial Infarction

  1. LAWRENCE A. REDUTO, M.D.;
  2. HARVEY J. BERGER, M.D.;
  3. LAWRENCE S. COHEN, M.D., F.A.C.P.;
  4. ALEXANDER GOTTSCHALK, M.D.; and
  5. BARRY L. ZARET, M.D.
  1. New Haven, Connecticut

    Abstract

    Ventricular performance was evaluated sequentially in 31 patients with uncomplicated acute transmural myocardial infarction (13 anterior and 18 inferior). Left ventricular ejection fraction, ejection rate, regional wall motion, and right ventricular ejection fraction were ascertained using first-pass radionuclide angiocardiography on four occasions during hospitalization. Inferior infarction resulted in a greater reduction in right ventricular ejection fraction than anterior infarction (mean ± SEM; 48 ± 2 versus 56 ± 2%, P < 0.01). In contrast, in anterior infarction there was greater depression of left ventricular ejection fraction than in inferior infarction (34 ± 3 versus 50 ± 3%, P < 0.01). From initial to discharge studies, there was no significant change in global performance or regional wall motion in either group. These data show that the location of transmural infarction has a profound effect upon the magnitude of right and left ventricular dysfunction. In addition, ventricular systolic performance remains relatively stable during the hospital phase of uncomplicated transmural myocardial infarction.

    Article and Author Information

    • ▸From the Cardiology Section, Department of Internal Medicine, and the Nuclear Medicine Section, Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Yale University School of Medicine; New Haven, Connecticut.

    • Grant support: in part by contract N01HV52988 and Grant R01HL21690-01, Cardiac Diseases Branch, Division of Heart and Vascular Diseases, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Dr. Zaret is an Established Investigator of the American Heart Association, and Dr. Reduto is a Research Fellow of the American Heart Association (Connecticut Affiliate).

    • ▸Requests for reprints should be addressed to Barry L. Zaret, M.D.; Section of Cardiology, Yale University School of Medicine; 333 Cedar Street, 87 LMP; New Haven, CT 06510.

      • Received March 2, 1978.
      • Accepted June 15, 1978.
    « Previous | Next Article »Table of Contents

    This Article

    1. Ann Intern Med October 1, 1978 vol. 89 no. 4 441-447
    1. » Abstract
    2. Full Text (PDF)

    Rapid Responses

    1. Submit a response
    2. No responses published

    Current Issue

    1. December 1, 2009, 151 (11)
    1. Alert me to current issues