Echocardiographic Assessment of Complications Related to Left Ventricular Function in Acute Myocardial Infarction.

Three complications of acute myocardial infarction without myocardial rupture are directly associated to the function of the myocardium: papillary muscle dysfunction, congestive heart failure, and cardiogenic shock. In this article, the pathophysiological mechanism of each complication is discussed, and the contribution of echocardiography to diagnosis and management is reviewed.