[Papillary muscle rupture in acute coronary syndromes - a clinical chameleon with high mortality]

A paradigm shift in the treatment of acute coronary syndromes has led to a lower incidence of papillary muscle ruptures and other mechanical complications, with a risk of decreased vigilance for these serious complications. Sudden clinical deterioration with pulmonary edema and circulatory instability in the post infarction period should raise suspicion of papillary muscle rupture. Silent mitral regurgitation without an audible systolic murmur is not uncommon in the acute setting. Most cases of papillary muscle rupture develop high levels of CRP which should not be misinterpreted as signs of an infection. Studies from the modern reperfusion era shows a bimodal time course with the majority of cases presenting within 24 hours of the infarction and the rest primarily within the first week of the post infarction period. Early detection and diagnosis with cardiac ultrasound and prompt surgical treatment are important factors for prognosis.