title: Transesophageal echocardiography as an important tool in the diagnosis of postinfarction papillary muscle rupture.
abstract: Papillary muscle complicating acute myocardial infarction is an uncommon but potentially catastrophic event. We present 3 such cases to illustrate the difficulties in early identification of rupture. In each case, transesophageal echocardiography was employed providing rapid and unequivocal identification of the disorder. Prompt surgical intervention led to survival in 2 patients.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology and Cardiothoracic Surgery, Albany Medical College, NY 12208 (USA).
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Breisblatt
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cutrone
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fein
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Ferraris
mesh_terms: D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal; D006342:Heart Rupture, Post-Infarction / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010210:Papillary Muscles / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery