Right Ventricular Free Wall Rupture Complicating Anterior STEMI
Abdalazeem Ibrahem1, Mohamed Farag1,2, Hind Elzein1
1Cardiothoracic Department, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom.
JACC. Case Reports
|July 12, 2022
Summary
Right ventricular free wall rupture is a rare complication of anterior ST-elevation myocardial infarction. Prompt evaluation of cardiac tamponade is crucial for preventing adverse outcomes in these critical patients.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Cardiac Surgery
- Pathophysiology
Background:
- Ventricular free wall rupture is a rare but life-threatening complication following myocardial infarction.
- Anterior ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) can lead to various mechanical complications.
- Prompt diagnosis and management are critical for patient survival.
Observation:
- This case report details a patient experiencing right ventricular free wall rupture.
- The rupture occurred as a complication of anterior STEMI.
- The underlying cause was identified as a wrap-around left anterior descending coronary artery.
Findings:
- The patient presented with acute cardiac tamponade.
- The rupture involved the right ventricle free wall.
- A wrap-around left anterior descending artery was the etiology of the myocardial infarction.
Implications:
- This case highlights the importance of considering ventricular free wall rupture in patients with anterior STEMI and cardiac tamponade.
- A systematic and rapid evaluation for the source of bleeding is essential in acute cardiac tamponade.
- Understanding rare complications can improve diagnostic and therapeutic strategies in acute coronary syndromes.
Keywords:
ECG, electrocardiogramLAD, left anterior descendingLM, left mainMI, myocardial infarctionPCI, percutaneous coronary interventionRCA, right coronary arteryRV, right ventricularSTEMI, ST-segment elevation myocardial infractionVF, ventricular fibrillationacute coronary syndromebubble echocardiographytamponadeventricular fibrillation
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