CARDIOVASCULAR EMERGENCIESTABLE 2.9. Complications of Myocardial Infarction
CLINICALFEATURES TREATMENTEarly ComplicationsCongestive heart Ranging from mild congestion Standard MI therapy
failure (Killip II MI) to pulmonary edema Diuresis
(Killip III MI) (15–40% mortality) ReperfusionCardiogenic shock Pulmonary congestion and Reperfusion
peripheral hypoperfusion Inotropes
(Killip IV MI; 80% mortality) Balloon pumpBradydysrhythmias Inferior MI: Observation
and AV block AV nodal, proximal to HIS bundle Transvenous pacing if:
Stable and transient Symptomatic bradycardia, 2nd-
Anterior MI: degree AVB type II, new
Infranodal at lower HIS bundle, bifascicular block with Ist-degree
poor prognosis AV block, bilateral BBB
Respond poorly to therapyTachydysrhythmias Occur in majority of patients ACLSLeft ventricular free Rapid decline to PEA, pericardial Pericardiocentesis and surgical
wall rupture effusion on ultrasound repairRupture of inter- Rapid decline with new, Surgical repair
ventricular septum harsh, systolic murmurPapillary muscle Day 3—5 after inferior MI. Surgical repair
rupture Acute pulmonary edema
with new systolic murmur.Infarct pericarditis Transmural infarct Supportive care
(different from ECG abnormalities often
Dressler’s syndrome) masked by evolutionary changesLate ComplicationsLV thrombus Stroke or emboli AnticoagulationPleuropericarditis 2—10 weeks post-MI NSAIDs and steroids
(Dressler’s syndrome) Fever, leukocytosis, friction rub,
pericardial or pleural effusionLV aneurysm Following large MI Anticoagulation,
(anterior most common) surgery
CHF, dysrhythmias,
thromboemboli, persistent
ST-elevation on ECG