Right ventricular longitudinal strain predicts acute kidney injury and short-term prognosis in patients with right ventricular myocardial infarction

Right ventricular (RV) systolic dysfunction due to acute myocardial infarction is associated with serious complications in the short-term. Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a frequent and unrecognized complication. This study aimed to assess whether RV longitudinal strain predicts AKI and short-term prognosis in patients with RV infarction. Prospective cohort of patients with RV infarction. RV function was evaluated with global and free wall right ventricular longitudinal strain (GRVLS and FWRVLS), tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion, and tricuspid S′ wave. The primary endpoint was AKI defined as an increase ≥ 50% in serum creatinine and/or a decrease ≥ 25% in glomerular filtration rate during follow-up at 7 days. The secondary endpoint was death from any cause at 30 days. We included 101 patients with RV infarction (male 67%, age 66 ± 11 years). During follow-up at 7 days, 40% of patients developed AKI. At 30 days, 8% of patients died. At univariate analysis, FWRVLS was significantly associated with AKI (Hazard ratio [HR] 1.11, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.03–1.20, p = 0.006). At multivariate analysis, only age, temporary pacemaker implant, and FWRVLS remained as independent predictors of AKI (HR 1.05, 95% CI 1.02–1.08, p = 0.002; HR 2.12, 95% CI 1.11–4.07, p = 0.023; HR 1.10, 95% CI 1.02–1.19, p = 0.018, respectively). At 30 days, patients with FWRVLS ≥ − 15.5% showed a lower survival rate than those with lower strain (84 ± 6 vs. 97 ± 2%, p = 0.021). In patients with RV infarction, FWRVLS was an independent predictor of AKI and was associated with higher mortality in the short-term.