Ventricular Failure

• Non-rhythmic complications of acute MI - Left Ventricular Failure:

  • Left Ventricular Failure develops within 48 hrs in 60% of patients with acute MI
  • Failure of the left ventricle to pump effectively results in high pulmonary artery pressures (PAP > 20 mmHg NB: normal PAP = 10 - 20 mmHg) and a low cardiac output
  • Note that a high PAP indicates that the pulmonary circulation is congested indicating pulmonary hypertension
  • Pulmonary hypertension will cause some degree of pulmonary oedema
• Non-rhythmic complications of acute MI - Right Ventricular Failure:

  • Right Ventricular Failure is also common post-AMI, and may occasionally be severe enough to cause peripheral hypertension, peripheral oedema or hepatomegaly