[Successful repair of post-operative rupture of the left ventricular wall after mitral valve replacement]

Rupture of the left ventricular wall after mitral valve replacement (MVR) is a rare but lethal complication, particularly in delayed type. We have encountered five cases of this complication, and the last case who was suffered 6 hours after MVR was successfully repaired. This case is a 56-year-old woman with MS. She underwent MVR with a Duromedics 25 M. She was transferred to the ICU and the postoperative course was uneventful until 6 hours after the operation, then bleeding from chest drainage tubes increased suddenly. She was promptly brought to the operating room, and the cardiopulmonary bypass was restarted. A tear and hematoma at the posterior wall of the left ventricle (Type II perforation) were found. The rupture was closed with three interrupture mattress sutures with a teflon felt strip. Bleeding was decreased, but oppression with sponge was applied to small but continuous bleeding. At present, she is in a good condition without occurrence of pseudoaneurysm of the left ventricle. We investigated our own five cases and sixty cases reported in Japan, and etiology, surgical repair and prevention of this complication were discussed.