Correlates of survival in patients with postinfarction ventricular septal defect

Ventricular Septal Rupture After Myocardial Infarction: JACC Focus Seminar 3/5

Ventricular septal rupture remains a dreadful complication of acute myocardial infarction. Although less commonly observed than during the prethrombolytic era, the condition remains complex and is often associated with refractory cardiogenic shock and death. Corrective surgery, although superior to medical treatment, has been associated with high perioperative morbidity and mortality. Transcatheter closure techniques are less invasive to surgery and offer a valuable alternative, particularly in patients with cardiogenic shock. In these patients, percutaneous mechanical circulatory support represents a novel opportunity for immediate stabilization and preserved end-organ function. Multimodality imaging can identify favorable septal anatomy for the most appropriate type of repair. The heart team approach will define optimal timing for surgery vs percutaneous repair. Emerging concepts are proposed for a deferred treatment approach, including orthotropic heart transplantation in ideal candidates. Finally, for futile situations, palliative care experts and a medical ethics team will provide the best options for end-of-life clinical decision making.

Management and outcome of post-myocardial infarction ventricular septal rupture-A Low-Middle-Income Country Experience

BACKGROUND

Ventricular septal rupture (VSR) is a rare complication after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) especially in the reperfusion era but its associated mortality has remained high. This case series evaluated in-hospital and intermediate-term mortality in VSR patients. Additionally, we also analyzed risk factors, clinical presentation, intervention, and predictors of in-hospital mortality in VSR patients.

METHODS

Data of 67 patients with echocardiography confirmed diagnosis of VSR from January 2011 to April 2020 was extracted from hospital medical records. Records were also reviewed to document 30 day and 1-year mortality, recurrent heart failure admission, repeat myocardial infarction, and revascularization. In addition, telephonic follow-up was done to assess health-related quality of life(HRQOL) assessed by KCCQ-12. SCAI shock classification was used to categorize severity of cardiogenic shock. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression was used to determine predictors of in-hospital mortality. Survival function was presented using the Kaplan-Meier survival curve.

RESULTS

Mean age of patients was 62.7 ± 11.1 years, 62.7% were males. 65.7% of the patients presented more than 24 hours after MI and did not receive reperfusion therapy. Median time from AMI to VSR diagnosis was 2 (1-5) days. VSR closure was attempted in 53.7% patients. In-hospital mortality was 65.7%. At univariate level, predictors of in-hospital mortality were non-surgical management, basal VSR, right ventricular dysfunction, early VSR post-MI, and severe cardiogenic shock at admission (class C, D, or E). Adjusted predictors of in-hospital mortality included non-surgical management, basal VSR and advanced cardiogenic shock. There were 5 deaths during median followup of 44.1 months. HRQOL in patients available on followup was good (54.5%) or excellent (45.5%).

CONCLUSION

High in-hospital mortality was seen in VSR patients. VSR closure is the preferred treatment to get long-term survival, however, timing of repair as well as severity of cardiogenic shock plays a significant role in determining prognosis.

Ventricular septal rupture: insights into an old disease

Ventricular septal rupture (VSR) is a serious complication of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and surgery is the reference treatment. We aimed at describing trends in management and mortality during the last four decades and reporting mortality predictors in these patients. We conducted a single-center retrospective study of patients sustaining a VSR from 1981 to 2020. We screened 274 patients and included 265 for analysis. The number of patients decreased over the years: 80, 88, 56, and 50 in each 10-year time span. In-hospital mortality decreased significantly since 1990 (logrank 0.007). The median age was 72.0 years IQR [66-78] and 188 patients (70.9%) were operated on. IABP was used more routinely (p < 0.0001). In-hospital mortality was assessed at 66.8% (177 patients) and main predictors of death were a time from MI to surgery < 8 days HR 2.7 IC95% [1.9-3.8] p < 0.0001, a Killip class > 2 HR 2.5 IC [1.9-3.4] p < 0.0001 and Euroscore 2 > 20 HR 2.4 IC [1.8-3.2] p < 0.0001. A "time from MI to surgery" of 8 days offers the best ability to discriminate between patients with or without mortality. The ability of "Euroscore 2 and Killip" to detect the patients most likely to wait 8 days for surgery was at 0.81 [0.73-0.89] p < 0.0001. Mortality remains high over the years. Euroscore 2, Killip class, and time from MI to surgery are the main mortality predictors. Patients with a Killip < 3 and a Euroscore < 20 should be monitored at least 8 days since MI before being referred to surgery.

Impella-assisted transcatheter closure of an acute postinfarction ventricular septal defect

This case report describes a 72-year-old woman who developed an acute postmyocardial infarction ventricular septal defect (VSD) with consequent cardiogenic shock. Intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) counter-pulsation was urgently initiated in the cardiac catheterisation laboratory, with neither clinical nor haemodynamic improvement, prompting immediate removal of the IABP and the insertion of an Impella 2.5 heart pump (AbioMed Inc; Danvers, Massachusetts, USA), a temporary ventricular assist device. Thereafter, the patient improved clinically and was admitted to the cardiovascular intensive care unit (ICU). While in the cardiovascular ICU, the patient developed worsening mechanical haemolysis of blood cells, stable but persistent cardiogenic shock and a transient ischaemic attack. A consensus decision was made to proceed with percutaneous repair of the VSD as she was deemed at high risk for surgical repair. She underwent successful percutaneous VSD repair on day 4 of hospitalisation, using a single 18 mm Amplatzer muscular VSD occluder (AGA Medical, Plymouth, Minnesota, USA) with trace residual flow across the occluder. Adequate systolic blood pressure and cardiac output was maintained postprocedure with the Impella 2.5 device. The patient, however, succumbed to multiorgan dysfunction occasioned by sepsis.

[Ischemic interventricular septal: report of a case observed in the cardiology department of the CHU-Yalgado Ouedraogo of Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso)]

La rupture myocardique est une complication rare mais souvent fatale de l'infarctus du myocarde aigu récent. Une patiente âgée de 72 ans, présentant une douleur thoracique typiquement angineuse évoluant depuis 34 jours, en insuffisance cardiaque globale était reçue pour une exploration cardio-vasculaire. L'examen physique retrouvait un souffle holosystolique endapexien d'intensité 3/6, irradiant en rayon de roue. La troponine T était élevée à quatre fois la normale et l'ECG objectivait une lésion sous épicardique en antéroseptoapical et une nécrose dans le même territoire. L’échodoppler cardiaque retrouvait un anévrisme septoapicolatéral avec une solution de continuité dans le segment apical du septum interventriculaire (CIV). Traitée par énoxaparine, antiagrégant plaquettaire, diurétique de l'anse, dérivés morphiniques et oxygène, la patiente présente au deuxième jour de son hospitalisation un collapsus cardio-vasculaire et décède dans un tableau de choc cardiogénique malgré l'administration des amines vasopressives à forte dose. La coronarographie n'a pu être réalisée. Ce cas illustre la gravité des complications mécaniques de l'infarctus du myocarde. L'absence de chirurgie cardiaque dans notre pays explique en grande partie l’évolution fatale de cette CIV ischémique.

Therapeutic management changes and mortality rates over 30 years in ventricular septal rupture complicating acute myocardial infarction

Recent studies have shown that the decrease in ventricular septal rupture (VSR) incidence after acute myocardial infarction is related to the improvement of reperfusion strategies. Our main objective was to explore the influence of therapeutic management changes on post-infarct VSR patient outcomes in a single reference center over a period of 30 years. We analyzed therapeutic management strategies and mortality rates in 228 patients with VSR after acute myocardial infarction admitted from 1981 to 2010. Patients were classified in 3 successive decades. There were no significant differences in clinical characteristics of patients with VSR at admission among those decades. Overall, surgery was performed in 159 patients (71.9%), primary transcatheter VSR closure was attempted in 5 patients (2.2%), and 64 patients (27.6%) were managed medically. Independent predictors of in-hospital mortality were VSR surgical repair (odds ratio [OR] 0.22, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.1 to 0.7, p = 0.008), cardiogenic shock (OR 6.06, 95% CI 2.8 to 13.1, p <0.0001), and Killip class on admission (OR 1.75, 95% CI 1.1 to 9.9, p = 0.02). We found a significant 1-year mortality reduction between the first and second decades (hazard ratio 0.48, 95% CI 0.28 to 0.80; p = 0.005), with no significant change in the last decade (p = 0.2). This change was related to a systematic referral to surgical repair and shorter delays to VSR surgery (5.2 ± 6.3 vs 1.9 ± 3.2 days from first to second decade; p = 0.012). In conclusion, surgical repair remains the only significant efficient therapy to reduce mortality in patients with VSR (p <10(-3)). In-hospital prognosis remains disappointing. This contrasts with the favorable long-term outcome of patients who survive the perioperative period and are discharged from hospital.

Trends in incidence and mortality rates of ventricular septal rupture during acute myocardial infarction

Since the introduction of reperfusion in the treatment of acute myocardial infarction (AMI), rates of ventricular septal rupture (VSR) and associated mortality have decreased, but it is not known if incidence and mortality have continued to decrease. We describe trends in incidence and mortality rates of patients with postinfarction VSR during the previous 2 decades and identify risk factors that predict the development and mortality of this rare but catastrophic complication. We analyzed occurrence and mortality rates in patients with first AMI with (n = 408) and without VSR (n = 148,473) who were hospitalized from 1990 to 2007 using the New Jersey Myocardial Infarction Data Acquisition System (MIDAS) database. The annual rate of VSR in AMI was 0.25% to 0.31%. Compared to patients with AMI without VSR, patients with VSR were older, more likely to be women, had increased rate of chronic renal disease, congestive heart failure, and cardiogenic shock, and were less likely to be hypertensive or diabetic (all p values < 0.0001). During the 18-year study period, we found no change in hospital and 1-year mortalities, which were 41% and 60% in 1990 to 1992 and 44% and 56% in 2005 to 2007, respectively. The survival benefit associated with VSR surgical repair was seen only in hospital (hazard ratio 0.66, 95% confidence interval 0.45 to 0.95) but not at 30 days or 1 year. In conclusion, despite improvement in medical treatment and revascularization techniques, the rate of VSR complicating AMI has not changed during the previous 2 decades, and the mortality associated with VSR has remained high and relatively constant.

Repair of post-infarct ventricular septal rupture with an infarct-exclusion technique: early results

BACKGROUND

Ventricular septal rupture is a rare but life-threatening complication of acute myocardial infarction. The mortality rate with medical treatment is more than 90%, whereas the mortality rate after surgical repair varies between 19% and 60% in different studies. This study reviews our experience based on early closure of the septal rupture with an infarct-exclusion technique.

METHODS

Eighteen consecutive patients who underwent post-infarct ventricular septal rupture operation between June 1, 2000, and November 1, 2005, were included in the study. There were 12 male and 6 female patients. Mean age was 65.72 +/- 5.21 years. All patients had echocardiography and coronary angiography before the operation. Rupture was closed with an infarct-exclusion technique in all patients. Preoperative, operative, and postoperative information were collected from patient cohorts.

RESULTS

The median time from myocardial infarction to diagnosis of the ventricular septal rupture was 4.22 +/- 1.61 days. Fourteen of the patients had intra-aortic balloon pump support, and 5 had mechanic ventilator support preoperatively. Surgical repair was done 1 to 4 days after the diagnosis. Ten anterior and 8 posterior ventricular septal ruptures were found. Additional coronary artery bypass surgery was performed with a median of 1.27 +/- 0.8 grafts in 15 (83.3%) patients. The mean postoperative mechanic ventilator support time was 34.13 +/- 45.11 hours. Overall 30-day mortality was 16.7% with 3 patients. The mean intensive care unit stay was 3.3 +/- 1.6 days. Postoperative transthoracic echocardiography showed minimal residual shunts in 4 patients.

CONCLUSION

Patch closure of the ventricular septal rupture with an infarct-exclusion technique provided acceptable results. Concomitant coronary artery bypass grafting might be beneficial to control additional risk of an associated coronary artery lesion. Prompt diagnosis followed by early surgical intervention is essential for patients with ventricular septal rupture.

Survival after simultaneous left ventricular free wall, papillary muscle, and ventricular septal rupture

Cardiac rupture is a catastrophic complication of acute myocardial infarction. The three potential sites of rupture are the left ventricular free wall, interventricular septum, and papillary muscle. Without rapid surgical correction, each of these complications typically leads to cardiogenic shock, multiorgan failure, and death. Postmortem analysis has identified a small number of cases in which myocardial infarction led to rupture at more than one of these sites; however, there are no reports of survival from such an event. We report a case involving rupture at all three sites in the same patient, emphasizing the importance of transesophageal echocardiography and surgical management.

Acute myocardial infarction: disposition to the operating room?

Given their low incidence, mechanical complications of AMI represent a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge for the EP. When the panoply of medical interventions has reached its limitation, surgical treatment plays a role in the management of the patient who has AMI. For patients who have CS and severe compromise of myocardial reserve, surgical intervention might represent the only means of restoring blood flow to the myocardium. For patients who have mechanical complications, correction of the defect before the onset of terminal organ failure might provide long-term survival.

Matrix metalloproteinases: from biology to therapeutic strategies in cardiovascular disease

In this comprehensive review of matrix remodeling, one central theme that bears re-emphasis is the extensivecross-talk and dynamic interactions that exist between terminally differentiated, postmitotic cells, proliferative cells, and the ECM of the cardiovascular system. The activities of MMPs and TIMPs constitute a well-orchestrated contest to maintain tissue integrity and homeostasis. Overexpression of MMPs tilts the balance in favor of irreversible tissue destruction of joints (eg, as in rheumatic disease), and efforts to curtail such errant pathways are ongoing (123). Thrombolytic therapy and percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty represent effective strategies for restoring antegrade flow in occluded vessels, but multiple factors preclude most patients with AMI from receiving either of these treatments. Tissue healing and remodeling is a process in which the biology of MMPs becomes universally applicable. Basic lessons from the biochemistry and enzymology of MMPs, combined with the mechanisms of gene expression, will undoubtedly impact the development of future therapies involving MMPs and their endogenous inhibitors. In addition, formidable challenges, ranging from bioavailability to tissue penetration and toxicity in animal models, face investigators using existing pharmacotherapeutics. For congenital diseases, such as Marfan syndrome, which primarily affects the connective tissue, future therapies may be targeted to the underlying pathobiology involving MMPs. Strategies aimed at correction of the genetic defect may be complemented by those to prevent or ameliorate fundamental imbalances in matrix turnover and deposition. The future challenge for cardiovascular medicine is to appropriately shift the pendulum, not to the exclusion of, but to the recognition of the dynamic interaction that exists between myocyte and nonmyocyte populations, which clearly affect the pathogenesis of many acquired and genetic disorders.

Outcome and profile of ventricular septal rupture with cardiogenic shock after myocardial infarction: a report from the SHOCK Trial Registry. SHould we emergently revascularize Occluded Coronaries in cardiogenic shocK?

OBJECTIVES

We wished to assess the profile and outcomes of patients with ventricular septal rupture (VSR) in the setting of cardiogenic shock (CS) complicating acute myocardial infarction (MI).

BACKGROUND

Cardiogenic shock is often seen with VSR complicating acute MI. Despite surgical therapy, mortality in such patients is high.

METHODS

We analyzed 939 patients enrolled in the SHOCK Trial Registry of CS in acute infarction, comparing 55 patients whose shock was associated with VSR with 884 patients who had predominant left ventricular failure.

RESULTS

Rupture occurred a median 16 h after infarction. Patients with VSR tended to be older (p = 0.053), were more often female (p = 0.002) and less often had previous infarction (p < 0.001), diabetes mellitus (p = 0.015) or smoking history (p = 0.033). They also underwent right-heart catheterization, intra-aortic balloon pumping and bypass surgery significantly more often. Although patients with rupture had less severe coronary disease, their in-hospital mortality was higher (87% vs. 61%, p < 0.001). Surgical repair was performed in 31 patients with rupture (21 had concomitant bypass surgery); 6 (19%) survived. Of the 24 patients managed medically, only 1 survived.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a high in-hospital mortality rate when CS develops as a result of VSR. Ventricular septal rupture may occur early after infarction, and women and the elderly may be more susceptible. Although the prognosis is poor, surgery remains the best therapeutic option in this setting.

Risk factors, angiographic patterns, and outcomes in patients with ventricular septal defect complicating acute myocardial infarction. GUSTO-I (Global Utilization of Streptokinase and TPA for Occluded Coronary Arteries) Trial Investigators

BACKGROUND

Ventricular septal defect (VSD) complicating acute myocardial infarction has been studied primarily in small, prethrombolytic-era trials. Our goal was to determine clinical predictors and angiographic and clinical outcomes of this complication in the thrombolytic era.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We compared enrollment characteristics, angiographic patterns, and outcomes (30-day and 1-year mortality) of patients enrolled in the Global Utilization of Streptokinase and TPA for Occluded Coronary Arteries (GUSTO-I) trial with and without a confirmed diagnosis of VSD. Univariable and multivariable analyses were used to assess relations between enrollment factors and the development of VSD. In all, 84 of the 41 021 patients (0.2%) developed VSD, a smaller percentage than reported in the prethrombolytic era. The median time from symptom onset to VSD diagnosis was 1 day. Enrollment factors most associated with this complication were advanced age, anterior infarction, female sex, and no previous smoking. The infarct artery was more often the left anterior descending and more likely to be totally occluded in patients who developed VSD. Mortality at 30 days was higher in patients with VSDs than in those without this complication (73.8% versus 6.8%, P<0.001). Patients with VSDs selected for surgical repair (n=34) had better outcomes than patients treated medically (n=35; 30-day mortality, 47% versus 94%).

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with historical control subjects, patients who undergo thrombolysis within 6 hours of infarction onset may have a reduced risk of later VSD. If patients develop this mechanical complication, however, it typically occurs sooner than described in the prethrombolytic era. Despite improvements in medical therapy and percutaneous and surgical techniques, mortality with this complication remains extremely high.

Surgical repair of postinfarction structural failure of the posterobasal part of the heart

BACKGROUND

This study is an analysis of our results with endoventricular repair of postinfarction structural defects of the posterobasal part of the heart.

METHODS

Thirty-four patients who underwent endoventricular repair of a postinfarction structural defect of the posterobasal heart were reviewed. Patients with rupture of the ventricular septum (18 patients) or free wall (1 patient) were operated on acutely and patients with ventricular aneurysm (15 patients) electively. Restitution of the ventricular geometry was achieved by evertion (11 patients), resection (4 patients), or augmentation of the ventriculotomy (4 patients) in patients with ventricular rupture, and by resection of the aneurysm in the others. Coronary artery bypass was performed in 24 patients.

RESULTS

Six patients died postoperatively (five due to rupture and one from aneurysm) and nine patients (six due to rupture and three from aneurysm) during follow-up. Survival rate at 5 years (including operative mortality) was 43% for patients with rupture and 61% for patients with aneurysm. The majority of the survivors were in New York Heart Association functional class I or II after a median follow-up of 5 years.

CONCLUSIONS

Endocardial repair, ventricular remodeling, and selective myocardial revascularization provided overall good results in the treatment of this difficult cardiac area.

Operative results of "repair" of ventricular septal rupture after acute myocardial infraction

Fifty-four consecutive patients with postinfarction ventricular septal defect were reviewed. The rupture was closed with a patch and the left ventricle remodeled in all patients. Coronary artery bypass surgery was performed in 28 patients (52%). Fourteen patients (26%) died after operation and 19 during follow-up (mean 42 months). Cumulative survival (including operative deaths) was 78%, 65%, and 40% at 1, 5, and 10 years, respectively. A short interval between septal rupture and operation was a risk factor for early mortality (p = 0.03). Treated associated coronary artery disease had no effect. A residual septal shunt, detected in 10 patients (18%), warranted reoperation in 7 and contributed to 2 early and 1 late death. The location and morphology of the septal rupture were not associated with increased risk of residual shunt. Thus, patch closure of the ventricular septal rupture, remodeling of the left ventricle to improve stroke volume and reduce wall stress, and selective myocardial revascularization provided acceptable results.

Postinfarction ventricular septal rupture

Postinfarction ventricular septal rupture is an uncommon but serious complication of acute myocardial infarction. Although I have tried various methods for repairing postinfarction septal defects, I recently began to use an exclusion technique, which is an extension of the intracavitary repair method that I use to treat ventricular aneurysms. This exclusion technique yields satisfactory results (early mortality rate, 36.4%), even in patients in severe cardiogenic shock.

Postinfarction ventricular septal rupture: the Wessex experience

Surgical repair of a postinfarct ventricular septal defect (VSD) remains a difficult surgical challenge associated with a significant operative mortality. Between 1972 and 1995, 179 patients with a postinfarct VSD have undergone operation in this institution. There were 118 males and 61 females, with a mean age of 66 years (range 43 to 80). Operative mortality was 26.7%. Surgery was deferred until 1 month after the septal rupture in 29 patients, with these labeled as having a chronic VSD. The remaining 150 underwent operation on within 1 month of infarction and are described as having an acute VSD. For those with an acute VSD, factors significantly associated with an increased risk of 30-day mortality included preoperative New York Heart Association status (P = .04), site of myocardial infarction (inferior worse than anterior) (P = .004), cross-clamp time (P = .05) and cardiopulmonary bypass time (P = .0001) (logistic regression). On multiple logistic regression, only cardiopulmonary bypass time remained significant. Survival including in-hospital mortality at 5 and 10 years was 49% +/- 4% and 31% +/- 5% and excluding in-hospital mortality was 72% +/- 5% and 45% +/- 6%, respectively. Those patients who survived attained a good quality of life. No factors were significantly associated with prolonged survival.

[Surgical treatment with infarction exclusion technique and postoperative percutaneous cardiopulmonary support for a patient with ventricular septal perforation--a case report]

A 76-year-old woman was referred to our hospital because of postinfarction ventricular septal perforation (VSP). VSP occurred twelve days after acute myocardial infarction and resulted in interventricular shunt with Qp/Qs of 4.8. Because she suffered from pulmonary edema and oligouria, she underwent emergent surgical treatment after application of the intraaortic balloon pump. The infarction involved whole of right ventricle and the infero-posterior wall of left ventricle, and the location of the perforation was infero-septum with the size of 10 x 6 mm. A bovine pericardial patch was tailored in a triangular shape of approximately 7 x 7 x 5 cm. The base of the patch was sutured to the fibrous annulus of the mitral valve and medial margin of the patch was sewn to healthy septal endocardium. And the lateral side of the patch was sutured to the posterior wall of the left ventricle. Because of difficulty in weaning of the cardiopulmonary bypass, a percutaneous cardiopulmonary support system (PCPS) was inserted via femoral artery and vein with a flow support of 2.0 L/min. After 4 days support of PCPS, improvement of right ventricular function was detected by echocardiogram and PCPS was removed. While PCPS support, low dose heparin to maintain ACT level around 150 seconds was continuously administered. Any complication including bleeding and thrombosis was not remarkable. The patient was discharged on the 53th postoperative day, and is now doing well.

Urgent surgical repair of postinfarction ventricular septal rupture: early and late outcome

AIM

This retrospective analysis focuses on predictive factors of operative mortality and long-term survival after surgical repair of postinfarction ventricular septal rupture (VSR).

METHODS

Sixty-seven patients (43 males, 24 females) with VSR underwent surgical repair between December 1977 and December 1995. The site of the rupture was anterior in 44 patients and posterior in 23. The mean interval between myocardial infarction (MI) and VSR was 3.6+/-4.1 days. Clinical condition on admission was critical in 63 patients (49 in cardiogenic shock). An intra-aortic balloon pump was inserted preoperatively in 54 patients.

RESULTS

Operative mortality was 25% (17 patients). The main cause of death was cardiac failure. Factors influencing early deaths in univariate analysis were preoperative hemodynamic status (cardiogenic shock present in 30%; absent in 8%; p = 0.001), the location of the MI (anterior in 11.6%, posterior in 45.4%), the interval between infarction and surgery (<1 week was 33%, >1 week was 6.2%), and the response to initial active therapy. All patients were available for follow-up. The actuarial survival rates at 1 and 5 years are 74.6%+/-5.3% and 66.2%+/-6.2%, respectively. There were 12 late deaths and 40% were cardiac related. Two patients presented residual VSD (one reoperation). The left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was mildly impaired in 9 patients. Three patients had moderate mitral insufficiency and two had moderate tricuspid insufficiency.

CONCLUSION

Repair of the postinfarction VSR remains a challenge. Improvement should be rendered possible by optimizing techniques. Postoperative morbidity is high, and these patients require intensive hospital resources. The late results have been satisfactory.

Surgical treatment of acquired ventricular septal defects in the elderly

OBJECTIVE

As the population continues to age, older patients are being referred for repair of acquired ventricular septal defect (VSD) following myocardial infarction (MI). The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of age (> or = 70 years) on operative risk and long term survival following repair of an acquired VSD.

METHODS

Between January 1972 and December 1995, 179 patients have undergone repair of acquired VSDs following MI in our unit. There were 118 males and 61 females (age range 43-80 years) of whom 60 were aged 70 years or above.

RESULTS

The overall early mortality was 27%. On univariate analysis risk factors for early death included shorter time from both MI and detection of murmur to operation (P < 0.01, P = 0.04), site of MI (P < 0.01), higher NYHA class (P < 0.01), lower preoperative blood pressure (P < 0.01) and longer cardiopulmonary bypass and cross clamp times (P < 0.01, P = 0.03). Non significant variables included age, sex, concomitant CABG and preoperative renal function. Early mortality was 28.6% (34/119) in patients under 70 and 25.0% (15/60) in those over 70. This difference was not significant. The only significant differences between the age groups were sex distribution (females > males, P < 0.01), in the older group, and shorter time from both MI and detection of murmur to operation (P = 0.04, P = 0.02). Cardiopulmonary bypass was the only statistically significant variable on multivariate analysis (P = 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

There was no significant difference in early mortality between the two age groups. As shorter times from both MI and detection of murmur to operation adversely affect early mortality, age over 70 years should not be used to determine suitability for surgery.

Postinfarction ventricular septal rupture: repair by endocardial patch with infarct exclusion

A novel operative technique for postinfarction ventricular septal defect has been used in 44 consecutive patients. The operation consists of excluding rather than excising the infarcted septum and ventricular walls. This is accomplished by performance of a left ventriculotomy through the infarcted muscle and securing a glutaraldehyde-fixed bovine pericardium patch to the endocardium of the left ventricle all around the infarcted myocardium. The ventriculotomy is simply closed over the pericardial patch. There were 21 men and 23 women whose mean age was 69 +/- 7 years. Twenty-nine patients were in cardiogenic shock at the time of operation. All patients had Doppler echocardiography and coronary angiography before operation. All but two patients were operated on during the acute phase of the myocardial infarction. There were six operative deaths. Postoperative complications included renal failure in 10 patients and respiratory failure in 18. Severe right ventricular dysfunction was the only independent predictor of operative mortality. Patients have been followed up for a mean of 40 +/- 34 months. There have been six late deaths and three of these were because of cardiac problems. The actuarial survival at 6 years was 66% +/- 7%. Only one patient had a small residual ventricular septal defect. Late postoperative assessment of ventricular function by echocardiography revealed that most patients had normal or mild impairment of right ventricular function and mild or moderate impairment of left ventricular function. Repair of acute postinfarction ventricular septal defect by endocardial patch with infarct exclusion of the left ventricule probably avoids additional damage to the right ventricle, remodels the acutely infarcted left ventricle, and enhances survival.

Inferoposterior ventricular septal rupture: repair with maintenance of ventricular geometry

We present a method of repairing inferobasal ventricular septal rupture after myocardial infarction, preserving the ventricular cavity sizes. This may be useful when extensive infarction compromises ventricular geometry with other repair techniques.

Good long-term outcome following surgical repair of post-infarction ventricular septal defect

BACKGROUND

A post-infarction ventricular septal defect (VSD) is a serious complication of a myocardial infarction with 90% of patients dying by two months, in published series. Urgent surgical repair improves the prognosis.

AIMS

To assess the Green Lane Hospital experience over a ten year period, especially with regard to hospital mortality and long-term follow up.

METHODS

A retrospective case note review of all 35 consecutive patients undergoing post-infarct VSD repair from 1981 to 1990. Long-term follow up was obtained in all but one patient (97%).

RESULTS

Twenty-one male and 14 female patients presented with a mean age of 67 years (range 51-75). All were in NYHA class 3 or 4, 14 (40%) were in cardiogenic shock. Following urgent surgical repair, 30 day mortality was 31% (11 patients). A further three patients died at two, 33 and 39 months; one patient was lost to follow up. At a mean follow up of 61 months (range 16-111), 15 patients were in NYHA class 1 or 2, five in NYHA class 3 or 4. For the whole group (n = 35) the actuarial survival was 66% at one year, 62% at three years and 58% at nine years.

CONCLUSION

Post-infarct VSD surgery is of major prognostic benefit with patients obtaining a good long-term outcome.

Postinfarction ventricular septal defect in the elderly: analysis and results

Fifteen elderly patients (age more than 70 years) underwent surgical repair of postinfarction ventricular septal defects during the years 1980 through 1992. The operative (to discharge or < 30 days) mortality rate was 47%, and the complication rate among survivors was 63%. The probability of survival at 1 year was 47% +/- 13%. Because of the small sample size of our patient population, predictive preoperative risk factors associated with early mortality could not be identified with certainty. However, there is a trend suggesting that high right atrial pressures (p = 0.15) and the need of an intraaortic balloon pump preoperatively (p = 0.12) influence 30-day mortality, as previously described in larger series. Of 5 long-term survivors, 3 are in New York Heart Association functional class I and 2 are in class II. Our experience in this group of patients suggests that in the elderly, a very aggressive approach should be taken in recommending early surgical intervention for postinfarction ventricular septal defect before hemodynamic deterioration ensues and severely compromises chances for survival.

Evolution of echocardiographic modalities in detection of postmyocardial infarction ventricular septal defect and papillary muscle rupture: study of 62 patients

Diagnostic sensitivity of various echocardiographic modalities was assessed for postinfarct ventricular septal defect (40 patients) and papillary muscle rupture (22 patients). Two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography enabled direct visualization of ventricular septal defect in 68% and combined two-dimensional Doppler echocardiography was diagnostic in 95%. Papillary muscle rupture was directly visualized in 45%, and severe mitral regurgitation was present on Doppler color flow images in 100%. Transesophageal echocardiography was diagnostic in all nine patients (five with ventricular septal defect and four with papillary muscle rupture) in whom this modality was applied. Thus two-dimensional Doppler echocardiography (transthoracic and transesophageal if necessary) is highly sensitive in detecting postinfarct ventricular septal defect and papillary muscle rupture.

Technical improvements in the repair of acute postinfarction ventricular septal rupture

Postinfarction ventricular septal rupture (VSR) is a high-risk complication following myocardial infarction (MI). Surgical treatment has evolved to improve an otherwise poor prognosis. Certain subsets of patients remain a formidable challenge. The presence of cardiogenic shock has consistently been found to have the highest risk. Over a 10-year period, our technique of repair has evolved from established procedures to one we believe confers superior results. Endocardial patching to viable myocardium reinforced with an epicardial patch not only corrects the shunt but maintains ventricular geometry and avoids tension on friable muscle. We report on a series of nine consecutive patients in cardiogenic shock. The operative mortality was 22%, none due to low cardiac output syndrome, shunt recurrence, or bleeding. All patients have been followed with transesophageal echocardiography at a mean period of 14 months (range 3-31 months). One patient is in New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class I, four are in NYHA Class II, and two in NYHA Class III.

Cardiac failure in coronary heart disease

Cardiac failure, which used to be rare in coronary heart disease, is now its most common complication. Coronary heart disease can cause or appear as cardiac failure through one or more of 12 mechanisms: acute myocardial infarction, acute reversible ischemia, right ventricular dysfunction, cardiogenic shock, acute mitral regurgitation, ventricular septal perforation, cardiac free wall rupture, ischemic cardiomyopathy, ventricular aneurysm, coexisting diseases, iatrogenesis, and pseudoheart failure. An understanding of the responsible mechanism or mechanisms is essential not only for appropriate treatment but also for prognostication. Various therapeutic modalities, both medical and surgical, should be able to improve not only symptoms but also survival. Current efforts in the management of patients with cardiac failure as a result of coronary heart disease should be aimed at prevention, both primary and secondary.

Tricuspid regurgitation with postinfarction ventricular septal defect

Severe tricuspid regurgitation became apparent in 2 patients who had acute inferior myocardial infarction after repair of a ventricular septal defect. Subsequent tricuspid valve insertion was performed successfully in 1 patient. The pertinent literature is reviewed.