Acute cardiac rupture complicating pre-discharge exercise testing. A case report with complete echocardiographic follow-up

The case of a 76 year-old male who suffered acute free wall rupture and sud den hemodynamic deterioration during the recovery phase of a pre-discharge exercise testing (performed 7 days after a noncomplicated myocardial infarc tion) is presented. Usefulness of echocardiography in early diagnosis, mana gement (guiding pericardiocentesis) and follow-up is remarked and, on the o ther hand, medical treatment after a successful resuscitation is confirmed as an alternative option in these cases. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.