Here we have a surgically repaired post-myocardial infarction rupture, also known as a ventricular free wall rupture. A ventricular free wall rupture is one of the most lethal complications following an acute myocardial infarction (MI).
This rupture occurs typically four to seven days post MI. It is caused by a combination of macrophages eating away at the dead muscle cells, weakening of heart muscles, and their inability to stretch and contract efficiently. This leads to accumulation of blood in the heart as its pumping ability is reduced from the scarring, causing force from the inside out leading to a tear.
A Myocardial Infarction is normally caused by a rupture of an atherosclerotic plaque with thrombosis and complete occlusion of a coronary artery. Other causes include coronary artery spasm from cocaine use, emboli, and vasculitis. Early surgical intervention is essential. This is treated by resecting the area and closing the rupture zone with Teflon or Dacron patches or by using biological glues.
