Partial papillary muscle rupture complicating acute myocardial infarction. diagnosis by multiplane transoesophageal echocardiography.

Papillary muscle rupture is a rare but generally fatal mechanical complication of acute myocardial infarction. In contrast to complete papillary muscle rupture, echocardiographic recognition of partial papillary muscle rupture has rarely been reported and seems to be more challenging. We describe a patient with partial papillary muscle rupture that could only be diagnosed by multiplane transoesophageal echocardiography, whereas transthoracic echocardiography and single plane transesophageal echocardiography showed only posterior mitral leaflet prolapse.