# Managing Ventricular Wall Rupture as a Complication of Late Presentation MI in a Complex Patient with Ankylosing Spondylitis

## TL;DR

This case report describes the successful surgical management of a rare heart complication in a patient with ankylosing spondylitis during the post-COVID-19 era.

## Contribution

The paper presents a rare case of ventricular wall rupture managed successfully in a complex patient with ankylosing spondylitis.

## Key findings

- Ventricular wall rupture was diagnosed early and treated surgically with a good outcome.
- The patient had ankylosing spondylitis, complicating the surgical approach and recovery.
- The case highlights the importance of considering this complication in late-presenting heart attacks.

## Abstract

Ventricular free wall rupture is an infrequent but serious complication of myocardial infarction with high mortality despite surgical intervention. In recent years with the COVID-19 pandemic, observational studies have reported a rise in this complication most likely due to patient hesitation in seeking urgent medical assistance for fear of contracting COVID-19 in a hospital setting. This case report highlights the early recognition and diagnosis of ventricular wall rupture by the heart team with a good surgical outcome in a complex patient with ankylosing spondylitis. Ventricular rupture should be considered in deteriorating patients presenting with suspicion of late presentation myocardial infarction. Clinicians in the post-COVID-19 era should expect to see these complications more frequently.