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[Ventricular septal defect as a complication of myocardial infarct]
Insights
Emergency surgical closure of postinfarction ventricular septal defects in heart failure patients led to survival and uncomplicated recovery. This suggests surgical intervention is viable even for elderly patients over 70.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Cardiac Surgery
- Cardiovascular Research
Background:
- Postinfarction ventricular septal defect (VSD) is a rare but serious complication of acute myocardial infarction.
- Large left-to-right shunts and intractable heart failure significantly increase mortality.
- Optimal timing and patient selection for surgical intervention remain critical.
Abstract:
Between 1978 and 1982 emergency closure of postinfarction ventricular septal defect was performed in 4 patients (51--74 years) on the 3rd-7th day after acute myocardial infarction. All patients had a large left-to-right shunt and were in intractable acute heart failure; all of them survived the operation (3 patients had additional aortocoronary bypass grafts), and follow-up (0.5--4.5 years) was uncomplicated. The favorable clinical and functional results of surgical therapy indicate that postinfarction ventricular septal defects should be operated on even in patients over 70 years of age.