TRANSMURAL MYOCARDIAL-INFARCTION WITH COEXISTING CRITICAL AORTIC-STENOSIS AS AN ETIOLOGY FOR EARLY MYOCARDIAL RUPTURE

Myocardial rupture is the most important cause of postinfarct sudden d eath after myocardial infarction other than shock and dysrhythmias. Us ually unrecognized, pseudoaneurysm formation is a delayed consequence of myocardial rupture in a small portion of patients who will remain a t high risk for late rupture and death. Clinical studies have defined a profile of the patient who is at increased risk for post-infarct myo cardial rupture. We believe that an additional factor, ventricular out flow tract obstruction, may add to the risk of having a post infarct r upture. A high degree of suspicion by the clinician accompanied by the timely performance of diagnostic tests may help to decrease the morta lity from this catastrophic event.