Emergency department two-dimensional echocardiography in the diagnosis of nontraumatic cardiac rupture.
Myocardial rupture is a catastrophic complication of acute myocardial infarction that usually results in sudden death. If diagnosed quickly, patients with myocardial rupture may be salvaged. This report describes the application of emergency department two-dimensional echocardiography in the diagnosis of six cases of myocardial rupture over two years. Each demonstrated a characteristic hemopericardium on limited single-window examination. These included four patients who met institutional guidelines for thrombolytic therapy. Three patients survived surgical repair, with two long-term survivors.
Plummer
D
D
Department of Emergency Medicine, Hennepin County Medical Center, Minneapolis, MN.
Dick
C
C
Ruiz
E
E
Clinton
J
J
Brunette
D
D
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004452:Echocardiography / Q000379:methods*; D004562:Electrocardiography; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D005260:Female; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006342:Heart Rupture, Post-Infarction / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000401:mortality* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D015996:Survival Rate; D013997:Time Factors
D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents