Acute myocardial infarction complication diagnosed by three-dimensional echocardiography

Transthoracic echocardiography is the modality of choice for the bedside diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction mechanical complications. We report the case of a ventricular septal rupture occurring soon after inferior myocardial infarction, revascularized by primary angioplasty. This challenging diagnosis was elucidated by 3D-echocardiography as 2D-imaging was not conclusive. This case demonstrates the importance of 3D-echocardiography in a cardiac intensive care setting. It provided additional information to 2D-echocardiography by identifying and locating post-acute myocardial infarction (AMI) septal rupture with implications for planning surgery.