A modified infarct exclusion technique for repair of anteroapical postinfarction ventricular septal defect

Ventricular septal defects complicate approximately 1% to 2% of cases of acute myocardial infarction. Such postinfarction defects require urgent surgical treatment because, on medical treatment alone, 60% to 70% of patients die within the first 2 weeks. Despite the development of various surgical techniques for repair of postinfarction ventricular septal defect, the condition carries a high risk of recurrence and subsequent death. We describe a modification of the infarct exclusion technique in which the septal portion of the patch is reinforced by the right ventricular free wall. This modification appears to prevent leaks to the right ventricle through the ventricular septal defect, from anywhere around the patch. We applied this modified technique to 4 patients with anteroapical postinfarction ventricular septal defect. There was 1 early death, due to mesenteric artery occlusion secondary to embolus. No residual shunt was found during the postoperative period. We believe that our modification to the infarct exclusion technique might reduce both operative mortality and recurrence, by supporting friable endocardial tissue with right ventricular wall. We suggest that it be considered for use in patients with anteroapical ventricular septal defect and no severe right ventricular dysfunction.