Surgical treatment of post-infarction ventricular septal defect without concomitant myocardial revascularization

Twenty one patients suffering from rupture of the ventricular septum (RVS) following acute myocardial infarction were operated upon between 1982-1985. Eighteen patients were operated upon urgently within 9.3 +/- 2.1 hours following diagnosis of RVS. In all, RVS occurred during the first infarction. None had concomitant myocardial revascularization. There were twelve operative survivors for an operative mortality of 42.5%. Two patients died 6 and 9 months postoperatively. All survivors are in functional class I, during a follow-up period of 14 to 56 months. The need for urgent repair of RVS is stressed and the value of concomitant coronary artery bypass is discussed.