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Updated: Aug 20, 2026
Acute Myocardial Infarction in Rats
Published on: February 16, 2011
Diverse presentations of cardiac rupture following acute myocardial infarction
Marina Leitman1, Vladimir Shir, Eli Peleg
1Department of Cardiology, Assaf Harofeh Medical Center, Zerifin, Israel.
Insights
Cardiac rupture, a rare complication of myocardial infarction, is linked to delayed reperfusion and thrombolytic therapy. Echocardiographic signs like pericardial effusion with clot indicate rupture risk.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Medical Complications
Background:
- Cardiac rupture is a rare but serious complication following myocardial infarction.
- Understanding its predictors and outcomes is crucial for patient management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the clinical presentation, medical course, and outcomes of patients experiencing cardiac rupture.
- To identify echocardiographic predictors of cardiac rupture.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 15 consecutive patients with cardiac rupture over a 4-year period.
- Evaluation of risk factors, timing of rupture, thrombolysis, and coronary interventions.
Main Results:
- All patients had a first ST-elevation myocardial infarction; rupture occurred within 24 hours in seven.
- Pericardial effusion with clot was noted in three patients on admission.
- Limited success with thrombolysis and coronary angioplasty; only three of six surgical patients survived.
Conclusions:
- Lack of early mechanical reperfusion and thrombolytic therapy are identified as risk factors for cardiac rupture.
- Pericardial effusion with clot on echocardiography are key indicators for suspecting cardiac rupture.
Background:
Cardiac rupture is a rare but ominous complication of myocardial infarction.
Objectives:
To study the clinical presentation, medical course, outcome and echocardiographic predictors of patients with myocardial rupture.
Methods:
We evaluated 15 consecutive patients with cardiac rupture during a 4 year period in our department. The current report explores the presence of potential risk factors, timing, relation to the thrombolysis, coronary interventions and outcome.
Results:
The index event in all patients was first ST elevation myocardial infarction. In seven patients rupture occurred in the first 24 hours. Pericardial effusion on admission with a clot was present in three patients. Five patients received thrombolytic therapy. Only three patients underwent coronary angioplasty, but in one case it was performed late and in two patients the culprit artery could not be opened. Six patients reached the operating room, of whom three survived.
Conclusions:
The lack of early mechanical reperfusion in acute myocardial infarction and thrombolytic therapy are risk factors for cardiac rupture. Pericardial effusion on admission and evidence of a clot are echocardiographic indicators of cardiac rupture and should alert the medical team to further assess the possibility of cardiac rupture.
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