DOPPLER-ECHOCARDIOGRAPHIC FINDINGS IN PATIENTS WITH RIGHT-VENTRICULARINFARCTION

Transthoracic Doppler echocardiography was performed in 96 consecutive patients with right ventricular infarction treated with thrombolysis. The bedside examination was performed before and 2 to 3 hours after t hrombolytic therapy, and a subsequent follow-up examination was schedu led for 7 days later. The in-hospital and long-term course was determi ned for all patients. Significant differences were found in echocardio graphic findings after the thrombolytic therapy: the right ventricular diameter decreased from 28.8 mm +/- 5.8 to 22.5 mm +/- 4.3 (P < 0.001 ), tricuspid regurgitant flow peak velocity was reduced from 2.9 m/s /- 0.3 to 2.0 m/s +/- 0.5 (P < 0.001). The analysis of interatrial sep tal motion and interventricular septal motion showed a normalization i n many patients. Major complications and deaths were more frequent in patients with echocardiographic findings of pulmonary hypertension per sisting after thrombolytic therapy. Echocardiographic findings involvi ng the right side of the heart are frequent in patients with right ven tricular infarction. The presence of a severe tricuspid regurgitation and of an abnormal septal motion in patients with acute myocardial inf arction indicates involvement of the right ventricle.