Cardiac rupture following myocardial infarction.
The 38 months incidence of cardiac rupture in a coronary care unit was found to be 10/460 or 2.1%. The patients at high risk were elderly people with a first transmural infarct, digitalized, experiencing recurring pain without a pericardial friction rub. 7/10 heart ruptures occurred within 36 hours after the first symptoms of infarction. Decreasing left ventricular work may be an effective method for preventing rupture of infarcted myocardium.
D000368:Aged; D004071:Digitalis Glycosides / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000150:complications*; D005082:Physical Exertion; D012422:Rupture, Spontaneous
D004071:Digitalis Glycosides