Syncope and undifferentiated shock.

Ventricular free wall rupture is a rare post myocardial complication with a high associated mortality. In this article we discuss the case of an elderly patient who presented to our emergency department in shock after an episode of syncope. Using Point Of Care Ultrasound (POCUS), identification of cardiac tamponade and pericardial thrombus was possible, signs indicating a diagnosis of free wall rupture.

Acute myocardial infarction with spontaneous reperfusion: clinical characteristics and optimal timing for revascularization.

Background: Spontaneous coronary reperfusion occurs in 7-27% of patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction, and is an independent predictor of myocardial salvage, percutaneous coronary intervention success, and improved outcome.

Objectives: To determine the optimal PCI time for patients admitted to the hospital due to STEMI with SCR.

Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of all patients admitted to the coronary care unit between July 2002 and November 2004 with a diagnosis of STEMI with SCR.