Mechanical complications of acute myocardial infarction

Abstract

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) can result in ischemic, mechanical, arrhythmic, embolic, or inflammatory complications. The development of mechanical complications following AMI is associated with a significantly reduced short-term and long-term survival. Since the introduction of primary percutaneous coronary intervention as the principal reperfusion strategy following acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction, the incidence of mechanical complications, including rupture of the left ventricular free wall, papillary muscle, and ventricular septum, has reduced significantly to less than 1%. Despite high operative mortality, the lack of an effective medical alternative makes surgical repair the mainstay of current management for these patients.

Keywords: Acute myocardial infarction; Infarct exclusion technique; Left ventricular free wall rupture; Papillary muscle rupture; Ventricular septal rupture.