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

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.