An Unusual Case of Left Ventricular Free Wall Rupture Caused by a Silent Myocardial Infarction

ABSTRACT

Left ventricular free wall rupture (LVFWR) is a serious complication of myocardial infarction. It presents with a very high mortality rate and can be rescued by accurate diagnosis and emergency surgery. LVFWR can occur with sudden overt clinical symptoms or present insidiously. This report highlights the case of a man with no prior history of coronary artery disease, who presented with LVFWR and pericardial effusion that evolved to severe bacterial pericarditis.