Posterior ventricular aneurysm, severe mitral regurgitation, and rupture of the left ventricle after acute myocardial infarction: six-year survival after surgical correction.

Posterior ventricular aneurysm and severe mitral regurgitation due to acute myocardial infarction are rarely recognized during life. This report describes the successful surgical treatment of a patient with this combination of lesions who at operation was found to have rupture of the left ventricle as well. Aneurysmectomy, mitral valve replacement, and coronary artery bypass were performed with a gratifying late result. Aggressive investigation of patients with hemodynamic deterioration after posterior myocardial infarction may identify surgically correctable mechanical complications.