Transesophageal echocardiography as an important tool in the diagnosis of postinfarction papillary muscle rupture.

Papillary muscle complicating acute myocardial infarction is an uncommon but potentially catastrophic event. We present 3 such cases to illustrate the difficulties in early identification of rupture. In each case, transesophageal echocardiography was employed providing rapid and unequivocal identification of the disorder. Prompt surgical intervention led to survival in 2 patients.