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Ventricular Free Wall Rupture in Acute Myocardial Infarction

Eliot N. Heller, MD

Cardiology Division, Department of Medicine, Bronx-Lebanon Hospital Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY

Fouad Boctor, MD

Department of Pathology, Bronx-Lebanon Hospital Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY

Edward J. Brown, Jr, MD

Cardiology Division, Department of Medicine, Bronx-Lebanon Hospital Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY

Imad A. Alhaddad, MD

Cardiology Division, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD

Despite a progressive reduction in acute myocardial infarction mortality over the years, death related to ventricular free wall rupture has not changed. This is mostly related to the catastrophic presentation and death within minutes in the majority of these patients. Once rupture is suspected, bedside echocardiography should be performed immediately, followed by pericardiocentesis and repair of the rupture site as quickly as possible. Measures to prevent cardiac rupture include the administration of 5-blockers and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors unless contraindications exist, and the avoidance of steroidal and nonsteroidal antiinflammatory agents such as ibuprofen and indomethacin.

Key Words: acute myocardial infarction • ventricular rupture • infarct expansion

Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Vol. 6, No. 3, 231-236 (2001)
DOI: 10.1177/107424840100600303


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