Between August 1992 and July 1995 five patients with cardiac free wall rupture after acute myocardial infarction underwent surgical treatment in Centro de Cirurgia Torácica do Hospital de S. João. The diagnosis was suggested by the hemodynamic changes and in four patients confirmed with echocardiography and pericardiocentesis. All patients survived and were discharged from the hospital. Medical treatment with inotropic drugs, pericardiocentesis and intraaortic balloon counterpulsation allows hemodynamic stabilization but only early surgery may assure survival.