[Ventricular septal defect and valvular aortic insufficiency. Our experience with nineteen patients (author's...

Nineteen patients with ventricular septal defect (V.S.D) and valvular aortic insufficiency (A.I.), who underwent surgical repair, were reported. In the majority of patients the V.S.D. was localized in the supracristal region and the most frequent aortic valve abnormality was a prolapsing right cusp. Closure of the V.S.D. was effected with a patch in 15 patients and by direct suture in 4. Surgical management of A.I. consisted of: a) replacement of the aortic valve in 12 patients; b) no procedure on the aortic valve in 6 patient; c) plastic repair of the aortic valve in 1 patient. Only one patient died. Conservative management of the A.I. is advocated, but this is possible only if early repair is attempted. In adults, replacement with a prosthesis is indicated for severe A.I.