Cardiac Medicine Certification (CMC) Practice Exam

What is the possible complication associated with inferior wall MIs involving the right ventricle?

1. Hypertension

2. Cardiogenic shock

3. Myocardial ischemia

4. Coronary artery disease

The correct answer is: Cardiogenic shock

The possible complication associated with inferior wall myocardial infarctions (MIs) that involve the right ventricle is cardiogenic shock. This event can occur because inferior wall MIs often compromise the blood supply to the right ventricle, particularly when there is right coronary artery involvement, which is common in these cases. As the right ventricle begins to fail due to ischemia or infarction, it cannot effectively pump blood to the lungs for oxygenation, leading to decreased cardiac output and systemic hypotension. This reduction in blood flow can result in inadequate perfusion of vital organs, manifesting clinically as cardiogenic shock, characterized by severe hypotension and reduced organ perfusion. The other options do not directly relate to the specific complications arising from inferior wall MIs involving the right ventricle. Hypertension is generally associated with increased systemic vascular resistance, which is not a typical outcome of inferior MIs. Myocardial ischemia refers to reduced blood flow to the heart muscle but is a broader concept that doesn't specifically pertain to the complications of inferior wall insults. Coronary artery disease is a condition that can lead to MIs but is not a complication of an existing infarction.