[Surgical correction of septal ruptures after recent acute myocardial infarct]

The problems which are raised by surgical correction of a rupture of the septum complicating an acute myocardial infarction are illustrated by a study of 15 patients admitted for resuscitation. Rarely (3 cases) the anatomical abnormality is well tolerated, and a "planned" secondary operative procedure can then be carried out. More often (12 cases) the severity of the circulatory sequelae makes urgent surgery mandatory; these very severe cases have benefited greatly from advances in medical resuscitation, assisted circulation, and operative techniques.