An emergency medical services team brings a 58-year-old man to the hospital due to severe, continuous substernal chest pain, shortness of breath, and profound diaphoresis that began 45 minutes ago. His medical history is significant for hyperlipidemia and a 35-pack-year smoking habit. Initial vital signs demonstrate a blood pressure of , a heart rate of , and a respiratory rate of . Physical examination reveals significantly elevated jugular venous pressure, but the lung fields are completely clear to auscultation bilaterally. A 12-lead electrocardiogram demonstrates ST-segment elevations in leads II, III, and aVF. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in the management of this patient's hypotension?
- AImmediate transport for a computed tomography angiography of the chest
- BAdministration of nebulized albuterol and intravenous corticosteroids
- Administration of an intravenous normal saline bolusCevap
- DAdministration of intravenous vancomycin and piperacillin-tazobactam
- EWithhold interventions until quantitative serum troponin levels are resulted
Cevap
Administration of an intravenous normal saline bolus
The correct answer addresses the specific pathophysiology of a right ventricular (RV) infarction. This patient's electrocardiogram shows an inferior myocardial infarction (ST elevations in II, III, aVF), and the physical examination reveals elevated jugular venous pressure with clear lung fields. This triad is the classic presentation of an RV infarction. In this state, the right ventricle loses its contractility and becomes a passive conduit, making it highly dependent on adequate right-sided filling pressures (preload) to push blood into the left side of the heart. Consequently, the first-line therapy to correct the resulting hypotension is volume resuscitation with an intravenous normal saline bolus to maximize preload. Standard angina medications that reduce preload, such as nitroglycerin, must be strictly avoided as they can precipitate profound cardiovascular collapse.
Adım Adım Çözüm
Anahtar Kavram
The classic triad of an acute right ventricular infarction includes hypotension, elevated jugular venous pressure, and clear lung fields; the initial treatment of choice is optimizing preload with an intravenous normal saline bolus.