A Thoracotomy Approach for the Surgical Repair of a Left Ventricular Free Wall Rupture

In the current era of rapid culprit vessel revascularization in acute myocardial infarction, ventricular free wall rupture is becoming increasingly uncommon. In rare cases adherent pericardium may contain this rupture, creating a temporary stable pseudoaneurysm. With the aid of intraoperative pictures, we describe herein a left thoracotomy approach for the surgical correction of a left ventricular pseudoaneurysm secondary to free wall rupture.