title: Ventricular free wall rupture in acute myocardial infarction.
abstract: Despite a progressive reduction in acute myocardial infarction mortality over the years, death related to ventricular free wall rupture has not changed. This is mostly related to the catastrophic presentation and death within minutes in the majority of these patients. Once rupture is suspected, bedside echocardiography should be performed immediately, followed by pericardiocentesis and repair of the rupture site as quickly as possible. Measures to prevent cardiac rupture include the administration of beta-blockers and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors unless contraindications exist, and the avoidance of steroidal and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents such as ibuprofen and indomethacin.
authors.affiliation: Cardiology Division, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University Hospital, 600 N Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA.
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Khalil
authors.forename: E N
authors.initials: EN
authors.lastname: Heller
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Boctor
authors.forename: E J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: I A
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Alhaddad
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006342:Heart Rupture, Post-Infarction / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy