title: Mechanical support for decompression of the left ventricle in repair of ischemic cardiac rupture.
abstract: Acute cardiac rupture is often a lethal complication of transmural myocardial infarction. A case of successfully treated left ventricular free wall rupture is described. Preoperative hemodynamic stabilization was achieved by intraaortic balloon counterpulsation. A BioMedicus left ventricular assist device was used intraoperatively and postoperatively to obtain long-term intraventricular decompression to allow for suture repair of friable myocardium.
authors.affiliation: Divisione di Cardiochirurgia, Universitá di Verona, Italy.
authors.forename: G B
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Luciani
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tappainer
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pessotto
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fabbri
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mazzucco
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002404:Catheterization; D005260:Female; D006342:Heart Rupture, Post-Infarction / Q000601:surgery*; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000601:surgery*; D006353:Heart-Assist Devices; D006801:Humans; D013536:Suture Techniques