Autologous pericardial patch without infarctectomy for the treatment of acute cardiac rupture.

Acute cardiac rupture is a complication of acute myocardial infarction and is often a lethal condition. The successful management of a case of left ventricular rupture by patch repair with concomitant myocardial revascularization is reported. Pre- and postoperative hemodynamic stabilization was achieved with the aid of intra-aortic balloon pump counterpulsation.