Papillary muscle rupture after myocardial infarction during left ventricular assist device support

We report a rare case of papillary muscle rupture due to myocardial infarction during left ventricular assist device support. A 69-year-old woman with cardiogenic shock due to acute myocardial infarction requiring venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support was transferred for further surgical intervention. Six days after the event, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation was decannulated, and an extracorporeal left ventricular assist device was implanted. On postoperative day 11, she suffered from sudden onset hypoxia due to pulmonary edema. Transesophageal echocardiography showed new onset severe mitral regurgitation. No further surgical intervention was performed according to the family’s wishes, and she passed away on the 22nd postoperative day. Autopsy findings revealed papillary muscle rupture. Although the left ventricle is unloaded by the left ventricular assist device, papillary muscle rupture should be recognized as a possible complication after myocardial infarction.