Right Ventricular Damage in Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance

Right Ventricular Damage in ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction. Risk Stratification by Visualization of Wall Motion, Edema and Delayed Enhancement Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance

The purpose of this study is to determine the predictors of right ventricular damage (RVD) assessed by wall motion abnormalities, edema, myocardial salvage and delayed enhancement (DE)cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and its prognostic significance.

The investigators hypothesize that ischemia related changes of the myocardium are also visible in the right ventricle and that they have an impact on patient outcome.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Onset of symptoms <12 h before angioplasty.
• ST-segment elevation of at least 0.1 mV in ≥2 extremity leads or at least 0.2 mV in ≥2 precordial leads.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Contraindications to CMR as implanted defibrillators, pacemakers, ferromagnetic intracranial metallic implants or pulmonary metallic splints and claustrophobia. A further exclusion criterion was prior fibrinolysis.