Emergent Pericardiocentesis is Lifesaving in Management of Acute Pericardial Tamponade Associated with Left Ventricular Free Wall Rupture "CASE REPORT"

Abstract

Abstract Introduction Ventricular free wall rapture and subsequent pericardial tamponade are among the most challenging and life-threatening complications of acute myocardial infarction (MI), which is associated with a high mortality rate. Case presentation in this report, we describe a 62-year-old man who suffered from LV free wall rupture and pericardial tamponade following MI. Despite relative contraindication of percutaneous pericardiocentesis in post MI tamponade, timely diagnosis and immediate pericardiocentesisfollowed by emergency surgery, resulted in patient’s survival. conclusions This study suggests that immediate pericardiocentesis in hemodynamically unstable patients may be life-saving before the arrival of the surgical team.