Cardiac Rupture

• Non-rhythmic complications of acute MI - Cardiac Rupture pt1:

  • Damaged wall structure may be unable to cope with cardiac pressures, and the affected myocardium can form an aneurysm, which could eventually rupture
  • If rupture occurs blood is pushed into the pericardium producing the clinical condition of TAMPONADE
  • In this situation the pressure of blood in the pericardium exerts a positive pressure compressing the myocardium and restricting ventricular filling
• Non-rhythmic complications of acute MI - Cardiac Rupture pt2:

  • As a consequence, cardiac output can be severely compromised
  • Tamponade is therefore a potentially life-threatening condition
  • Myocardial wall rupture is most likely to occur in the elderly and in those with hypertension