Journal of emergency nursing : JEN : official publication of the Emergency Department Nurses Association
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Case Reports
Case Report Detailing an Inferior Myocardial Infarction, Third-Degree Heart Block, and Cardiogenic Shock.
An infarction in the right coronary artery affects the inferior wall of the heart and can also cause impedance to the cardiac conduction system. The right coronary artery perfuses the sinoatrial and atrioventricular nodes, and a loss of blood flow contributes to a breakdown in the communication system within the heart, causing associated bradycardias, heart blocks, and arrhythmias. This case report details the prehospital and emergency care of a middle-aged man who experienced an inferior myocardial infarction, concomitant third-degree heart block, and subsequent cardiogenic shock, with successful revascularization. This case is informative for emergency clinicians to review symptoms of acute coronary syndrome, rapid lifesaving diagnostics and intervention, and the unique treatment and monitoring considerations associated with right ventricular involvement and third-degree heart block.