Ruptured papillary muscle

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy delayed by complicated myocardial infarction with papillary muscle rupture, and performed after unique complex mitral repair

A 65-year-old woman was admitted for laparoscopic cholecystectomy, a method of choice for gallbladder diseases. Symptoms of gallstones are similar to angina pectoris, especially in right coronary artery stenosis. In this case, masked by known symptomatic gallstones, unsuspected coronary artery disease manifested with complicated myocardial infarction and pulmonary edema. The patient survived the acute period, treated pharmacologically. Severe mitral insufficiency caused mainly by ruptured papillary muscle, with left ventricle and atrium enlargement, and right coronary artery stenosis were indications for heart surgery. Repair of this infrequent complication of myocardial infarction is rarely feasible. The complex repair, unique for this cause, is described. During the operation, the head of the ruptured posteromedial papillary muscle was re-implanted, and two neo-chords implanted for prolapsing the A2 mitral valve segment. Annuloplasty with a 29 mm elastic ring accomplished repair. Saphenous bypass graft was applied to the only feasible postero-lateral branch. Although intraoperative echocardiography revealed excellent results, inotropic support, and intra-aortic counterpulsation were necessary for weaning off cardio-pulmonary bypass and low cardiac output treatment. The patient was discharged home on postoperative day 12, with anticoagulant administered for 3 months. As soon as it was no longer required, she underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy, with no complications. Durable results of both operations performed 5 years ago are confirmed by physical examination and ultrasonography. Complex mitral valve repair, rather than valve replacement, should be considered in similar cases. Possibility of coexistence of coronary artery disease should be considered before cholecystectomy. Good quality repair of cardiac disease allows for laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

[Papillary muscle head rupture in a patient with normal coronarography findings]

BACKGROUND

Rupture of papillary muscle generally happens during acute myocardial infarction and is the cause of acute mitral regurgitation, pulmonary oedema, so it should be promptly recognized and managed.

CASE REPORT

A patient, 52 year-old, was admitted to the Thoracic Department with fever, general weakness, dyspnea and cough as a case of suspected pneumonia. Two days before the admission he was treated with antibiotics. At thoracic ward, his clinical status got serious and he transferred to Intensive Care Unit (ICU) as pulmonary oedema. At the time of admission to ICU the patient was seriously ill with tachycardia, tachydyspnea, orthopnea and cyanosis image. Auscultatory, he showed pulmonal stasis at both sides and a tachyarrhythmic action, with a systolic murmur 5/6 grade above the mitral valve. Echocardiography showed grave mitral regurgitation with prolapsus of posterior leaflet with suspected chordal rupture. At coronarography no significant lesions of coronary arteries were found. After hemodynamic stabilization the patient was operated. During the operation, Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) examination showed a rupture of the head of the posteromedial papillary muscle. He was surgically treated with atypical quadrantectomy of posterior leaflet with homologous pericardial patch anuloplasty.

CONCLUSION

The recognition of acute mitral regurgitation caused by the papillary muscle rupture and prompt surgical treatment is of vital interest for the survival of patients.

[Papillary muscle rupture due to acute myocardial infarction followed by cardiogenic shock, pulmonary edema, and acute renal failure]

AIM

The case of successfull surgical treatment of anterolateral papillary muscle rupture due to acute myocardial infarction with cardiogenic shock, pulmonary edema and acute renal failure.

CASE REPORT

A 62-year old male from Belgrade with chest pain, hypotension and a new heart murmur refused hospitalization at the Military Medical Academy. On the third day of his illness he was readmitted to MMA as an emergency due to hemoptysis. Examination revealed mitral valve anterolateral papillary muscle rupture. The patient, with signs of cardiogenic shock and acute renal failure, was immediately operated on. The surgery was performed using extracorporeal circulation. An artificial mitral valve was implanted, and myocardial revascularization accomplished with one venous graft of the left anterior descending artery. On the second postoperative day, hemodialysis was carried out due to acute renal failure. On the 28th postoperative day, the patient was discharged from the hospital being hemodynamically stable with normal renal function and balanced anticoagulation. The case is interesting in terms of unrecognized papillary muscle rupture that led to the development of cardiogenic shock, hemoptysis and acute renal failure.

CONCLUSION

Papillary muscle rupture is a fatal complication of acute myocardial infarction. Early recognition and urgent surgical intervention were life-saving in the case of complete papillary muscle rupture. Surgical treatment, regardless of high risk, is the procedure of choice.