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Spontaneous closure of ventricular septal defect complicated with acute myocardial infarction

In-Cheol Kim1, Hyungseop Kim, Dong-Hwan Jun

  • 1Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Keimyung University Dongsan Medical Center, Daegu, Korea.

Echocardiography (Mount Kisco, N.Y.)
|May 15, 2008
PubMed

Insights

This case study shows a small ventricular septal defect (VSD) that developed after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) nearly closed on its own over three years. This spontaneous healing offers hope for similar cardiac conditions without surgical intervention.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Cardiac Surgery
  • Interventional Cardiology

Background:

  • A 79-year-old male presented with a ventricular septal defect (VSD) following percutaneous coronary intervention for acute myocardial infarction (AMI).
  • The VSD was located in the apicoseptal wall, likely a complication of the AMI and subsequent stenting of the left anterior descending artery.

Observation:

  • Initial echocardiography revealed a small VSD (0.8-1.0 cm) without hemodynamic compromise.
  • The patient opted for conservative management with close outpatient follow-up instead of surgical repair.

Findings:

  • Follow-up echocardiography at 6 months confirmed the persistent VSD.
  • After 3 years, the VSD murmur became inaudible, and imaging demonstrated near-complete spontaneous closure of the defect.

Implications:

  • This case suggests that small VSDs secondary to AMI may have the potential for spontaneous closure.
  • Non-surgical management with vigilant monitoring can be a viable option for select patients with VSDs.
  • Further research into the mechanisms of VSD healing could inform future treatment strategies.

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