Which clinical finding would suggest a right ventricular myocardial infarction?

Which clinical finding would suggest a right ventricular myocardial infarction?

• A. Elevated jugular venous pressure
• B. Pulmonary edema
• C. Lung crackles
• D. Hypotension with dry cough

Answer: (A)

The key feature of right ventricular infarction is signs of right-sided congestion, with elevated jugular venous pressure. When the right ventricle is not pumping effectively, blood backs up into the systemic venous system, raising the pressure in the jugular veins. This elevation is a hallmark of RV dysfunction and helps distinguish RV infarction from left-sided problems. Lungs tend to be relatively clear in RV infarction because the left ventricle is not congested; left-sided failure typically causes pulmonary edema with crackles. So, while hypotension can occur due to reduced preload to the left ventricle, the presence of elevated JVP without pulmonary edema or crackles points toward a right-sided issue. A dry cough is not a typical or reliable sign of RV infarction.

The key feature of right ventricular infarction is signs of right-sided congestion, with elevated jugular venous pressure. When the right ventricle is not pumping effectively, blood backs up into the systemic venous system, raising the pressure in the jugular veins. This elevation is a hallmark of RV dysfunction and helps distinguish RV infarction from left-sided problems.

Lungs tend to be relatively clear in RV infarction because the left ventricle is not congested; left-sided failure typically causes pulmonary edema with crackles. So, while hypotension can occur due to reduced preload to the left ventricle, the presence of elevated JVP without pulmonary edema or crackles points toward a right-sided issue. A dry cough is not a typical or reliable sign of RV infarction.