Subacute ventricular free-wall rupture presenting as tamponade without frank hemopericardium

Ventricular free-wall rupture is a well-known catastrophic complication of acute myocardial infarction. A significant number of patients present in a subacute fashion and can be successfully treated with surgery if diagnosed promptly. We present a case of subacute free-wall rupture that occurred after an undiagnosed myocardial infarction. The findings at pericardiocentesis were unusual in that the fluid was sanguinous but not frank hemopericardium. This patient represents the first known reported case to present without frank hemopericardium who survived and was successfully treated surgically. The absence of frank hemopericardium should not exclude the diagnosis of free-wall rupture.