POSTINFARCTION VENTRICULAR FREE-WALL RUPTURE - STRATEGIES FOR DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT

Ventricular free wall rupture is a recognized complication of myocardi al infarction. In recent years, the widespread availability of echocar diography has enabled prompt antemortem diagnosis. Consequently, an av enue for lifesaving surgical intervention has emerged for this hithert o fatal condition. We review the pathology and discuss strategies for diagnosis, resuscitation, and definitive surgical intervention. We ill ustrate this review using our experience with a patient whose conditio n was diagnosed by transthoracic echocardiography and who successfully underwent emergency operation.