[Successful repair of subacute left ventricular free wall rupture after acute myocardial infarction].

A 67-year-old man sustained free wall rupture of the left ventricle following an acute myocardial infarction 8 hours after percutaneous transluminal coronary recannalization (PTCR). Echocardiography and pericardiocentesis which improved the hemodynamic state confirmed the diagnosis. Under extracorporeal circulation, direct closure was successfully accomplished following resection of ruptured and necrotic anterior left ventricular myocardium. The patient has remained well for 9 months after the operation. Clinical and therapeutic features of subacute cardiac rupture and affecting factors of PTCR were discussed.