In an inferior STEMI, which artery is most commonly involved?

Prepare for the Emergency Nursing Orientation 3.0 Cardiovascular Emergencies Test. Use interactive flashcards and detailed explanations with multiple choice questions. Enhance your understanding of cardiovascular emergencies and succeed on your exam!

Multiple Choice

In an inferior STEMI, which artery is most commonly involved?

Inferior STEMIs occur when the inferior wall of the left ventricle loses blood supply. In most people, the artery that feeds that region is the right coronary artery. Because the right coronary artery often gives rise to the posterior descending artery, which supplies the inferior wall and the lower part of the septum in right-dominant hearts, an occlusion here commonly produces an inferior infarct. Clinically, you’ll see ST elevations in the inferior leads (II, III, and sometimes aVF) and may observe bradycardia or hypotension from AV nodal involvement. The left circumflex artery typically nourishes the lateral wall, and the left anterior descending artery supplies the anterior wall and the septum, so they are less likely to produce an inferior pattern. The posterior descending artery is usually a branch rather than the primary culprit, though in left-dominant circulation the LCX can give rise to the PDA and cause inferior changes—this is less common overall than RCA occlusion.

Inferior STEMIs occur when the inferior wall of the left ventricle loses blood supply. In most people, the artery that feeds that region is the right coronary artery. Because the right coronary artery often gives rise to the posterior descending artery, which supplies the inferior wall and the lower part of the septum in right-dominant hearts, an occlusion here commonly produces an inferior infarct. Clinically, you’ll see ST elevations in the inferior leads (II, III, and sometimes aVF) and may observe bradycardia or hypotension from AV nodal involvement.

The left circumflex artery typically nourishes the lateral wall, and the left anterior descending artery supplies the anterior wall and the septum, so they are less likely to produce an inferior pattern. The posterior descending artery is usually a branch rather than the primary culprit, though in left-dominant circulation the LCX can give rise to the PDA and cause inferior changes—this is less common overall than RCA occlusion.

More practice questions