A123

HEART - Ruptured myocardial infarct

Description
On the lateral surface of the left ventricle there is a split in the muscle and there is bloodclot in the split. The perforation can be seen on the pericardial surface. The infarcted area can no longer be clearly seen (this is an old specimen) but is of small extent probably measuring no more than 2.5 cm across. It clearly however involves the full thickness of the ventricular wall.
History
This man died suddenly with a cardiac tamponade some 4-5 days after a symptomless infarct.