Successful Management of Contained Left Ventricular Free Wall Rupture Associated With Myocardial Infarction

Abstract

Left ventricular free wall rupture (LVFWR) is a deadly mechanical complication that, in approximately 2-6 of patients, arises following acute myocardial infarction (MI). It could occur in different situations, ranging from several minutes to over one month following MI, usually among patients with risk factors. The condition is very lethal, and the survival rates are extremely low among the people affected. We here report the case of a 61-year-old female patient presenting with chest discomfort and dyspnea two months after an anterior MI. In this case, unlike most instances, the visceral pericardium acts as a protective layer, preventing further bleeding and progression toward tamponade. Furthermore, prompt surgery was crucial in preventing fatal outcomes and ended up saving the patient's life.