Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 17, 2026
Standardized Colon Ascendens Stent Peritonitis in Rats - a Simple, Feasible Animal Model to Induce Septic Acute Kidney Injury
Published on: February 15, 2022
An Incomplete Anterolateral Papillary Muscle Rupture in Patient with Suspected Septic Shock
Aurora Paraninfi1, Giuseppe Colonna2, Salvatore Zaccaria3
1Department of Cardiology and Intensive Cardiac Care Unit, Sacro Cuore di Gesù Hospital, Gallipoli, Italy.
Abstract:
Papillary muscle rupture (PMR) is a cardiac surgical emergency, and early treatment is associated with better short- and long-term survival outcomes. The sensitivity of the transthoracic echocardiogram for PMR is rather low (65%), and in acute, the diagnosis could be difficult given the clinical, laboratory, and radiological aspects not specific for the disease. We report a case of incomplete anterolateral PMR in a patient admitted to intensive care with bilateral pneumonia and septic shock. Transesophageal echocardiogram was fundamental for a better visualization of mitral subvalvular apparatus, allowing a correct diagnosis and a tempestive treatment.
Insights
Papillary muscle rupture (PMR) is a critical cardiac emergency. Transesophageal echocardiogram aids in timely diagnosis when transthoracic echocardiogram is insufficient, improving patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Cardiac Surgery
- Diagnostic Imaging
Background:
- Papillary muscle rupture (PMR) is a life-threatening cardiac surgical emergency.
- Early diagnosis and treatment of PMR are crucial for improved survival.
- Transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) has limited sensitivity (65%) for diagnosing PMR, and acute cases present diagnostic challenges.
