Hemopericardium From Ventricular Rupture: A Rare but Predictable Complication of Subacute Infarction

Left ventricular rupture is a rare but catastrophic complication of myocardial infarction, often associated with delayed or atypical presentations. Here, we report an 89-year-old man with prior coronary artery bypass grafting presenting with chest pain and diagnosed with a non–ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction due to small-vessel occlusion. He presented 3 days later with dyspnea and was found on echocardiography to have posterior free wall rupture with hemopericardium causing cardiovascular collapse. This case highlights the importance of maintaining suspicion for postinfarction complications to obtain early echocardiographic evaluation in patients with recent ischemic events and unexplained dyspnea.

Duke Scholars

Author Pahresah Roomiany Medicine, Hospital Medicine