Background: Right ventricular infarction (RVI) commonly accompanies inferior wall myocardial infarction (IWMI) and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of RVI among patients with IWMI and to identify clinical characteristics and risk factors associated with RVI.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the Coronary Care Unit of Azadi Teaching Hospital in Kirkuk from January 1 to October 31, 2017. A convenient sample of 150 patients with IWMI was evaluated through direct interviews using a structured questionnaire.
Result: RVI was identified in 39.3% of patients with IWMI. There was a highly significant association between RVI and older age, particularly among self-employed individuals (p<0.001). Significant risk factors for RVI included a family history of heart disease (p<0.001) and obesity (p=0.01). Patients with both IWMI and RVI experienced significantly more complications than those with IWMI alone (p=0.002).
Conclusions: The prevalence of RVI in patients with IWMI aligns with previously reported data. Older age, positive family history, and obesity are key risk factors, and RVI is linked to a higher rate of clinical complications in IWMI patients.