Time is Muscle” - Does Echocardiography Have a Role in STEMI 24/7?

Abstract

Echocardiography is a vital, non-invasive, and readily available tool in the diagnosis and evaluation of patients with the mechanical complications of AMI [1,2]. Unfortunately, the mechanical complications of AMI are often fatal and, without immediate surgery, patients shortly experience death. The major mechanical complications of AMI are ventricular free wall rupture, ventricular septal rupture, and papillary muscle rupture with severe mitral regurgitation, each of which is capable of triggering cardiogenic shock [3].