Echocardiography and rupture of the heart.

Abstract
In 4 patients with rupture of the free wall of the left ventricle, the diagnosis was made at the bedside using a portable cross-sectional echocardiograph; this was confirmed at necropsy in 2 patients and by paracentesis in the other two. Weak ventricular contractions were seen after each QRS complex of the ECG, contradicting a widespread belief that cardiac rupture immediately produces electromechanical dissociation. In 1 patient aspiration of 100 ml blood from the pericardium allowed resumption of cardiac pump function; this patient survived for 3 days but was allowed to die because of cerebral damage sustained during resuscitation.