Acute left ventricular rupture following posterior wall myocardial infarction

Intern Med. 2010;49(14):1387-90. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.49.3426. Epub 2010 Jul 15.

Abstract

Free wall rupture, the most fearful complication of myocardial infarction, mostly attacks anterior walls. Acute rupture is characterized by rapid development of mechanical arrest accompanied with bradyarrhythmia or electromechanical dissociation. The majority of patients succumb to death as the result of cardiac tamponade. Risk factors are advanced age, female gender, the first-time myocardial infarction, hypertension, and ST-segment elevation. We report a rare case of posterior wall myocardial infarction complicated with left ventricular rupture initially presenting with junctional escape rhythm.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Heart Rupture, Post-Infarction / diagnosis*
  • Heart Rupture, Post-Infarction / physiopathology
  • Heart Rupture, Post-Infarction / surgery
  • Heart Ventricles / pathology*
  • Heart Ventricles / surgery
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Myocardial Infarction / diagnosis*
  • Myocardial Infarction / physiopathology
  • Myocardial Infarction / surgery