Myocardial free-wall rupture after acute infarction: survival aided by percutaneous intraaortic balloon counterpulsation.

After his first acute myocardial infarction, a 69-year-old male suffered the usually lethal complication of ventricular free-wall rupture. Early suspicion of possible rupture and immediate percutaneous insertion of an intraaortic balloon pump assist device afforded sufficient hemodynamic stability to proceed with cardiac catheterization. The diagnosis of ventricular free-wall rupture was confirmed and the extent of coronary artery disease defined. The patient underwent repair of the free-wall rupture and coronary artery bypass grafting and has returned to full activity.