The data of the macroscopical-anatomical examination of 14 cases of cardiac rupture (10 women, 4 men) complicating acute myocardial infarction were compared with those obtained at autopsy, with the same protocol, in 31 cases of myocardial infarction which resulted in death before the 30th day after the onset. Many anatomical facts separated both groups from each other (size, aspect, limits of myocardial necrosis, state of the coronary arteries). Eventual surgical conclusions might be drawn from this study.