Subacute Left Ventricular Free-Wall and Double Cardiac Rupture: Clinical Features and Surgical Considerations of a Surgically Salvageable Condition

Abstract

Subacute cardiac rupture after myocardial infarction carries a high mortality. This article describes 4 cases—3 with rupture of the left ventricle and 1 with a combined rupture of the left ventricle and interventricular septum (double rupture). All patients were successfully operated; however, the patient with the double rupture died of a massive cerebrovascular accident on the 8th postoperative day. The importance of early diagnosis and prompt surgical intervention is discussed, along with a review of the literature.