Hughes S A, Graham T R
Cardiothoracic Surgical Unit, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Queen Elizabeth Medical Centre, Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK.
Int J Cardiol. 1994 Apr;44(2):145-9. doi: 10.1016/0167-5273(94)90018-3.
Rupture of the left ventricle during the immediate postoperative period is a serious, but uncommon complication of mitral valve replacement. This review article outlines the pathological findings, possible causative mechanisms and current management of this cardiac surgical catastrophe.