[A treatable condition: parietal rupture of the heart during the acute phase of myocardial infarct. Apropos of a further case treated successfully with surgery].

A man aged 62 had an unexpected anterior myocardial infarction, complicated during the thirteenth hour after onset by parietal rupture and consequent acute tamponnade. The diagnosis was confirmed by echocardiography and then by pericardial puncture which allowed enough time for an operation to be undertaken under extra-corporeal circulation. The infarct was resected together with the weakened area of rupture, and the quality of the patient's life has been maintained at an excellent level after one year.