Medium-term echocardiographic follow-up of systolic and diastolic left ventricular abnormalities after surgical treatment of subacute rupture.

Subacute rupture of the left ventricular free wall is a complication that occurs during the acute phase of a myocardial infarction. The subacute presentation makes surgical management possible. However, it is not known whether either pericardial manipulation or the use of pericardial patches influences left ventricular function over the medium term. Our aim was to monitor changes in left ventricular function and the development of constrictive pericarditis over the medium term in patients who had been treated surgically for subacute rupture of the left ventricle. Eleven patients with subacute rupture underwent surgery, of whom six were followed up over the medium term. A modest improvement in left ventricular systolic function was observed and there was no evidence of constrictive pericarditis. In conclusion, the surgical approach appears to be safe over the medium term and had no influence on left ventricular function. Nor did it lead to the development of constrictive pericarditis.