Rupture of the ventricular myocardium and perforation of the interventricular septum complicating acute myocardial infarction.

O NE of the fatal complications of acute myocardial infaretion is rupture of the affected ventricular niyoeardium. The free wall of the left ventricle is the region usually involved, and sudden death occurs due to acute cardiac tamponade. Occasionally the interventricular septum is perforated, and the clinical signs are characteristic. Recognition of septal perforation may permit utilization of surgical correction of the defect in suitable cases. The following ease is presented and discussed to emphasize the clinical signs of rupture of the myoeardium. and interventrieular septum.