Cardiac Strangulation Due to Partial Pericardial Defect Presenting as Acute Myocardial Infarction
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Updated: Oct 14, 2025

Myocardial Infarction and Functional Outcome Assessment in Pigs
Published on: April 25, 2014
Shintaro Izumoto1,2, Nobuyuki Oguri3, Shohei Koyama4,2
1Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Miyakonojo Medical Association Hospital, Miyakonojo, Miyazaki, Japan.
Insights
A rare autopsy finding revealed cardiac strangulation in a patient who died from heart failure after myocardial infarction. This was caused by the heart apex herniating through a congenital pericardial defect.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pathology
- Anatomical Abnormalities
Background:
- Acute myocardial infarction (MI) can lead to severe heart failure.
- Refractory heart failure is a critical complication following MI.
- Congenital pericardial defects are rare but can have significant clinical implications.
Abstract:
A 79-year-old man with chest pain and dyspnea underwent emergency percutaneous coronary intervention for acute myocardial infarction. However, he died 17 days later due to refractory heart failure. An autopsy revealed cardiac strangulation caused by herniation of the apical heart through a pericardial defect due to partial absence of the pericardium. (Level of Difficulty: Advanced.).
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Introduction Cardiac Emergencies
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Pericarditis II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests
Coronary Artery Disease III: Clinical Manifestations

