OBJECTIVE This study sought to determine the effects of reperfusion on hemodynamic status and hospital course in patients with right ventricular infarction. BACKGROUND In contrast to the relatively low risk associated with acute inferior myocardial infarction, right ventricular infarction is associated with higher in-hospital morbidity and mortality. However, the potential benefits of reperfusion in patients with right ventricular infarction are unknown. Consequently, this study evaluated the potential benefits of primary angioplasty in patients with right ventricular infarction. METHODS Of 141 consecutive patients admitted to the hospital for inferior myocardial infarction, 27 were identified as having right ventricular involvement by electrocardiographic and hemodynamic criteria. Seventeen patients achieved patency of the infarct-related right coronary artery by primary coronary angioplasty within 24 h of hospital admission, but 10 patients did not. All patients had invasive hemodynamic monitoring at the time of hospital admission, and subsequent serial hemodynamic status and clinical events were recorded. RESULTS Patients with successful reperfusion demonstrated improved right atrial pressure, pulmonary capillary wedge pressure and right atrial/pulmonary capillary wedge pressure ratio as early as 8 h after reperfusion, whereas patients without reperfusion had no hemodynamic improvement over 24 h. Right atrial pressure demonstrated the greatest 8-h improvement after successful reperfusion (15.4 +/- 0.8 to 8.4 +/- 0.8 mm Hg [mean +/- SD], p < 0.05) but was unchanged without reperfusion (13.7 +/- 0.9 to 13.9 +/- 0.8 mm Hg, p = NS). Additionally, persistently elevated right atrial pressure was associated with increased mortality. CONCLUSIONS Reperfusion in the setting of right ventricular infarction leads to rapid hemodynamic improvement and may result in improved survival.