Myocardial rupture with left ventricle to coronary sinus communication: an unusual post-infarction mechanical complication

J Cardiovasc Med (Hagerstown). 2008 Jan;9(1):97-100. doi: 10.2459/JCM.0b013e328012867e.

Abstract

We describe a rare case of post-infarction myocardial rupture leading to communication between the left ventricle and coronary sinus, which eventually led to a left-to-right shunt. The observation was made in an elderly woman with subacute infero-posterior myocardial infarction. Diagnosis was initially made by transthoracic echocardiography (elicited by the finding of high-velocity flow within a dilated coronary sinus), and was confirmed in greater detail at cardiac magnetic resonance. This description adds to the list of known post-infarction mechanical complications. The finding of high-velocity flow within the coronary sinus after myocardial infarction suggests the possibility of myocardial rupture leading to left ventricle to coronary sinus communication; an unusual but potentially treatable complication.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Blood Flow Velocity / physiology
  • Coronary Sinus*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Echocardiography, Doppler, Color
  • Echocardiography, Transesophageal
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Heart Rupture, Post-Infarction / diagnosis*
  • Heart Rupture, Post-Infarction / physiopathology
  • Heart Ventricles*
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging