STEMI complicated by mechanical complication (PMR / VSR / free-wall rupture)
Encounter flow
10/12 authoredCanonical 12-phase frame with authored status for this dossier.
Frame
Mechanical complication of STEMI (PMR / VSR / free-wall rupture) — catastrophic; surgical repair is Class I; medical management alone has >50% mortality for VSR + >80% for free-wall rupture
mechanical complication confirmed on echo
Patient inputs (8)
Older age + female sex + late presentation = higher mechanical complication + surgical mortality (EuroSCORE-II)
eGFR for contrast + dosing; CKD interacts with surgical risk per EuroSCORE-II
STAT TTE/TEE confirms PMR (flail leaflet, eccentric jet), VSR (jet across septum on color Doppler), or free-wall rupture (effusion + tamponade physiology)
Confirms infarct context; trajectory informs reperfusion success
Hypotension typical with mechanical complication; SCAI C-E staging drives MCS escalation
Lactate ≥2 anchors SCAI C+ shock — mechanical complications almost always present in shock
Culprit confirmation; complete coronary anatomy required for CABG planning if surgery indicated
O2 step-up ≥7% from RA→RV = VSR; PA cath also quantifies hemodynamic compromise + guides MCS choice
* = hard-required. Engine cannot meaningfully run until these are filled.
Severity triggers (5)
- informationallife_threateningfree_wall_rupture_with_tamponadeSudden hemodynamic collapse + new pericardial effusion + tamponade physiology 1-7 d post-MI → free-wall ruptureTrigger could not be auto-evaluated — needs clinician judgement.
- informationallife_threateningpapillary_muscle_rupture_with_acute_severe_mrNew harsh holosystolic murmur + flash pulmonary edema + flail leaflet on echo → papillary muscle rupture (typically posteromedial in inferior MI from PDA territory)Trigger could not be auto-evaluated — needs clinician judgement.
- informationallife_threateningventricular_septal_rupture_with_oxygen_step_upNew harsh holosystolic murmur + hemodynamic deterioration + O2 step-up ≥7% RA→RV at right heart cath OR jet across septum on TEE → VSRTrigger could not be auto-evaluated — needs clinician judgement.
- informationallife_threateningmechanical_complication_with_scai_d_e_shockMechanical complication + SCAI D (deteriorating) or E (extremis) shock — biventricular failure, refractory hypotension despite max vasopressorsTrigger could not be auto-evaluated — needs clinician judgement.
- informationalseverepseudoaneurysm_on_late_echoSubacute free-wall rupture contained by pericardium → pseudoaneurysm on echo days-weeks post-MI; high rupture riskTrigger could not be auto-evaluated — needs clinician judgement.
Workflow calculators
Run this disease's risk and dosing calculators inline.
Recommended regimen
STEMI mechanical complication overlay — adds MCS bridging + afterload reduction + surgical bridging anticoagulation to parent cardio.stemi.core.v1 reperfusion regimen- aspirinfirst lineantiplatelet_cox1162-325 mg chewed • PO • load + 81 mg dailytriggers: stemi_with_mechanical_complicationACC/AHA 2025 ACS Class I; same as parent — continue through surgery if PCI completedrxcui 243670
- ticagrelorfirst linep2y12_inhibitor180 mg load → 90 mg BID; HOLD if CABG decided pre-load (use cangrelor bridge or no load) • PO • BIDtriggers: stemi_pci_completed_no_immediate_cabgPLATO PMID 19717846; same as parent; held if CABG planned within 5-7 drxcui 1116632
- nitroprussidefirst linearterial_venodilator0.3 mcg/kg/min titrate to MAP 65-75 • IV • continuous infusiontriggers: acute_severe_mr_with_adequate_sbp, pmr_bridge_to_orAfterload reduction reduces regurgitant fraction in acute severe MR; ESC 2023 ACS expert consensus; only if SBP permits (avoid if SCAI C-E shock without MCS)rxcui 7476
- norepinephrinefirst linevasopressor0.05-0.5 mcg/kg/min titrate to MAP 65 • IV • continuous infusiontriggers: cardiogenic_shock_scai_c_or_higherSOAP-II PMID 20200382 — first-line vasopressor for cardiogenic shock; bridges to MCSrxcui 7512
- milrinonesecond lineinotrope_pde3_inhibitor0.125-0.5 mcg/kg/min (no bolus in shock) • IV • continuous infusiontriggers: biventricular_failure_post_mechanical_complication, rv_dysfunction_post_miInodilator with pulmonary vasodilation — useful for biventricular failure or RV dysfunction; ESC HF 2021rxcui 52769
outpatient playbook — drug actions (1)
- 1. continue secondary-prevention bundlerxcui 243670ASA 81 + ticagrelor 90 BID × 12 mo + atorvastatin 80 + GDMT • PO • as scheduledtrigger: post-mechanical-complication-MIAHA 2025
Auto-drafted A&P note
outpatientSubjective
- Possible entry pathways: New harsh holosystolic murmur 2-7 d post-MI ± hemodynamic deterioration → PMR or VSR until proven otherwise; STAT echo: acute severe MR (flail leaflet, eccentric jet, hyperdynamic LV) or VSR jet on color Doppler post-MI; Sudden hemodynamic collapse + new pericardial effusion 1-7 d post-MI → free-wall rupture / pseudoaneurysm / tamponade.
Objective
- No vitals, labs, or imaging entered for this encounter.
Assessment
**STEMI complicated by mechanical complication (PMR / VSR / free-wall rupture)** (cardio.stemi.with-mechanical-complication.v1). Scope: Mechanical complication of STEMI (PMR / VSR / free-wall rupture) — catastrophic; surgical repair is Class I; medical management alone has >50% mortality for VSR + >80% for free-wall rupture No severity triggers fired against current inputs.
Plan
Regimen axis: **STEMI mechanical complication overlay — adds MCS bridging + afterload reduction + surgical bridging anticoagulation to parent cardio.stemi.core.v1 reperfusion regimen**. 1. aspirin 162-325 mg chewed PO load + 81 mg daily (antiplatelet_cox1, first line) — ACC/AHA 2025 ACS Class I; same as parent — continue through surgery if PCI completed 2. ticagrelor 180 mg load → 90 mg BID; HOLD if CABG decided pre-load (use cangrelor bridge or no load) PO BID (p2y12_inhibitor, first line) — PLATO PMID 19717846; same as parent; held if CABG planned within 5-7 d 3. nitroprusside 0.3 mcg/kg/min titrate to MAP 65-75 IV continuous infusion (arterial_venodilator, first line) — Afterload reduction reduces regurgitant fraction in acute severe MR; ESC 2023 ACS expert consensus; only if SBP permits (avoid if SCAI C-E shock without MCS) 4. norepinephrine 0.05-0.5 mcg/kg/min titrate to MAP 65 IV continuous infusion (vasopressor, first line) — SOAP-II PMID 20200382 — first-line vasopressor for cardiogenic shock; bridges to MCS 5. milrinone 0.125-0.5 mcg/kg/min (no bolus in shock) IV continuous infusion (inotrope_pde3_inhibitor, second line) — Inodilator with pulmonary vasodilation — useful for biventricular failure or RV dysfunction; ESC HF 2021 Setting playbook (outpatient) — Long-term cardiology + cardiac surgery surveillance: repair durability echo at 30/90/365 d; ICD eligibility decision at 40-90 d if EF <35; cardiac rehab; secondary-prevention bundle 6. continue secondary-prevention bundle ASA 81 + ticagrelor 90 BID × 12 mo + atorvastatin 80 + GDMT PO as scheduled — post-mechanical-complication-MI (AHA 2025) Non-pharmacologic actions: - ICD/WCD adherence - Cardiac rehab maintenance phase - Endocarditis prophylaxis education if prosthetic valve AVOID / contraindication checks: - Nitroprusside_avoid_severe_hypotension_or_uncontrolled_shock_without_mcs - Nitroprusside_cyanide_toxicity_if_prolonged_or_high_dose_or_renal_failure - Ticagrelor_hold_5 7d_pre_cabg_per_acc_2025 - Milrinone_renal_dose_adjust_egfr_below_30
Monitoring
Regimen monitoring: - serial echo for repair integrity and residual lesion - arterial line continuous for titration - pa cath optional for mcs weaning guidance - lactate q2-4h during shock - cyanide thiocyanate levels if nitroprusside >72h or ckd Setting (outpatient) monitoring: - Quarterly + annual EF + lipid + INR - Annual surveillance echo for prosthetic-valve dysfunction Follow-up plan: Cardiology + cardiac surgery follow-up; echo at 30-90 d for repair durability + LVEF reassessment; ICD eligibility per MADIT-II if EF <30; cardiac rehab - Close-out criterion: cardiac rehab booked + ICD pathway documented Monitoring phase: Post-op telemetry + arterial line + PA cath consideration; serial echo for repair integrity; vigilance for residual VSR/MR; antibiotics for prosthetic valve if implanted; anticoagulation per surgical type
Disposition
Current setting: outpatient — Long-term cardiology + cardiac surgery surveillance: repair durability echo at 30/90/365 d; ICD eligibility decision at 40-90 d if EF <35; cardiac rehab; secondary-prevention bundle Disposition criteria: - Long-term continuation; cross-link to cardio.hf.core.v1 if HFrEF persists Escalation triggers (move to higher acuity): - ICD therapy delivered → urgent EP - Prosthetic dysfunction → cardiac surgery - New symptoms suggesting recurrent MR/VSR → STAT echo
Earlier-Return Triggers
Return-precaution thresholds (watch for): - [LIFE_THREATENING] Sudden hemodynamic collapse + new pericardial effusion + tamponade physiology 1-7 d post-MI → free-wall rupture - [LIFE_THREATENING] New harsh holosystolic murmur + flash pulmonary edema + flail leaflet on echo → papillary muscle rupture (typically posteromedial in inferior MI from PDA territory) - [LIFE_THREATENING] New harsh holosystolic murmur + hemodynamic deterioration + O2 step-up ≥7% RA→RV at right heart cath OR jet across septum on TEE → VSR
Citations
- 2025 ACC/AHA ACS Guideline + ESC 2023 ACS + SCAI 2022 CS staging [PMID:37622670](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37622670/) - Cited evidence (PMID 35718438) [PMID:35718438](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35718438/) - Cited evidence (PMID 38587234) [PMID:38587234](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38587234/) - Cited evidence (PMID 10460813) [PMID:10460813](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10460813/) - Cited evidence (PMID 20200382) [PMID:20200382](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20200382/) Last reconciled with current guidelines: 2026-05-14.
- 2025 ACC/AHA ACS Guideline + ESC 2023 ACS + SCAI 2022 CS staging — PMID:37622670
- Cited evidence (PMID 35718438) — PMID:35718438
- Cited evidence (PMID 38587234) — PMID:38587234
- Cited evidence (PMID 10460813) — PMID:10460813
- Cited evidence (PMID 20200382) — PMID:20200382