PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - T A Helmy
AU  - W J Nicholson
AU  - S Lick
AU  - B F Uretsky
TI  - Contained myocardial rupture: a variant linking complete and incomplete rupture
AID  - 10.1136/hrt.2004.048082
DP  - 2005 Feb 01
TA  - Heart
PG  - e13--e13
VI  - 91
IP  - 2
4099  - http://heart.bmj.com/content/91/2/e13.short
4100  - http://heart.bmj.com/content/91/2/e13.full
SO  - Heart2005 Feb 01; 91
AB  - Myocardial rupture is an uncommon complication of myocardial infarction, often with devastating haemodynamic consequences. Although rupture is usually fatal, when patients do survive, the majority present with a pseudoaneurysm in which the rupture is sealed by a haematoma on the epicardial surface of the heart. Cases in which all myocardial layers are dissected except the epicardium or visceral pericardium have been included under this subheading. The authors describe such a case and suggest the pathological description of a “contained myocardial rupture”. This link between complete and incomplete myocardial rupture may allow a more conservative management approach to be pursued.