Urgent repair of postinfarct ventricular septal rupture with ECPELLA support: A case report

A 74-year-old woman developed inferior myocardial infarction due to right coronary artery occlusion and underwent percutaneous coronary intervention. Two days later, echocardiography revealed ventricular septal rupture, and Impella CP was inserted to avoid emergency surgery. However, the patient's hemodynamics deteriorated rapidly, necessitating additional venoarterial extracorporeal membranous oxygenation support with concomitant Impella support (ECPELLA). The ventricular septal rupture was surgically repaired using the extended sandwich technique via a right ventricular approach; the ascending aorta was clamped with the clampable portion of the Impella. The patient was successfully weaned from the Impella 3 days postsurgery. This case suggests that urgent surgery with ECPELLA support could be a useful option for patients with ventricular septal rupture, even in severe cases wherein emergency surgery is unavoidable.