Pulseless electrical activity after myocardial infarction: not always a left ventricular free wall rupture.
Pulseless electrical activity (PEA) after acute myocardial infarction is classically caused by ventricular free wall rupture. We report the case of a 76-year-old woman who presented a cardiac arrest with PEA 5 days after an embolic acute myocardial infarction. Transthoracic echocardiogram showed a massive mitral regurgitation due to posterior papillary muscle rupture. This case demonstrates that other causes potentially treatable than cardiac tamponade must be sought in patients with PEA after myocardial infarction.
Intensive Care Unit, Louis Pradel Cardiology Hospital, Bron, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France.
Didier
D
Bresson
Nicolas
N
Girerd
Anissa
A
Bouali
Jean
J
Turc
Eric
E
Bonnefoy
D000368:Aged; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000150:complications*; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004452:Echocardiography; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006341:Heart Rupture / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D008944:Mitral Valve Insufficiency / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis