Management of patients with myocardial rupture after acute myocardial infarction

: Ventricular free wall rupture resulting in pericardial tamponade and shock is a known complication of myocardial infarction. In recent years, the widespread availability of echocardiographia has enabled prompt diagnosis. We report a patient with left ventricular free wall rupture in its most severe form who survived after surgical intervention. We point out the importance of rapid and precise diagnosis through echocardiographia. The presence of pericardial haematoma/fluid, haematoma in the ventricular wall or compression of the ventricles supports this diagnosis. Echocardiographia is an important tool for verifying the diagnosis in this group of patients.