Intraoperative coronary angiography in postinfarction ventricular free wall rupture: how technology can change diagnostic and therapeutic timing

Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg. 2008 Aug;7(4):733-5. doi: 10.1510/icvts.2008.174904. Epub 2008 Apr 7.

Abstract

Left ventricular free wall rupture often presents with an abrupt onset and rapidly progresses towards cardiogenic shock or electromechanical dissociation. The diagnostic pathway is still a matter of debate: echocardiography is commonly decisive but the assessment of coronary artery status is essential in order to optimize the surgical procedure. However, a preoperative coronary angiography could generate a dramatic delay of surgery. We report a case of a patient with a post-infarction left ventricular free wall rupture presenting with cardiac tamponade and cardiogenic shock who underwent emergency surgery. After cardiopulmonary bypass institution, an intraoperative coronary angiography was performed. Successful repair of the ventricular free wall rupture associated with a well-targeted surgical myocardial revascularization were carried out. This case illustrates how the development of technologically advanced hybrid operating rooms could lead to a new diagnostic and therapeutic approach to this potentially fatal complication.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Cardiac Surgical Procedures*
  • Cardiac Tamponade / diagnostic imaging
  • Cardiac Tamponade / etiology
  • Cardiac Tamponade / surgery
  • Cardiopulmonary Bypass
  • Coronary Angiography* / instrumentation
  • Coronary Artery Bypass
  • Coronary Artery Disease / complications
  • Coronary Artery Disease / diagnostic imaging*
  • Coronary Artery Disease / surgery
  • Early Diagnosis
  • Heart Rupture, Post-Infarction / complications
  • Heart Rupture, Post-Infarction / diagnostic imaging*
  • Heart Rupture, Post-Infarction / surgery
  • Humans
  • Intraoperative Care
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Operating Rooms / organization & administration
  • Patient Selection
  • Shock, Cardiogenic / diagnostic imaging
  • Shock, Cardiogenic / etiology
  • Shock, Cardiogenic / surgery
  • Sternum / surgery
  • Time Factors
  • Treatment Outcome