Outcomes of Early Versus Delayed Transcatheter Closure of Post-Myocardial Infarction Ventricular Septal Defect

Multicentre short- and medium-term report on the device closure of a post-myocardial infarction ventricular septal rupture - In search of risk factors for early mortality

BACKGROUND

Post-myocardial infarction ventricular septal rupture (VSR) is a rare and severe complication of myocardial infarction. To find early mortality (<30 days) risk factors of device VSR closure and to evaluate its medium-term outcome.

METHODS

Multicenter retrospective analysis on all 46 consecutive patients with percutaneous (n = 43) or hybrid (n = 3) VSR closure in 2000-2020 with various nitinol wire mesh occluders. Medical records, hemodynamic data, procedure results, short- and mid-term follow-up were analyzed (4.8 ± 3.7 years, range: 0.1-15, available in 61.7% of patients). Of the patients, 34.8% underwent VSR closure in acute phase (<21 days after VSR occurrence), 17.4% underwent device closure due to significant residual shunt after previous VSR surgery.

RESULTS

Success rate was 78.3%. More than moderate residual shunt, major complications, and early surgical reintervention affected 18.9%, 15.2% (including 2 intra-procedural deaths), and 21.7% of patients, respectively. Early mortality was 26.1% (13.9% in successful vs. 70% in unsuccessful closure; p < 0.001). Older age, need for intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation, severe complications, and procedural failure were identified as risk factors for early mortality. Among patients who survived the early period, the 5-year survival rate was 57.1%. NYHA class improved in 88.2% patients at the latest follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Procedure of VSR device closure demonstrates an acceptable technical success rate; however, the incidence of severe complications and early mortality is notably high. Older patients in poor hemodynamic condition and those with unsuccessful occluder deployment are particularly at a higher risk of a fatal outcome. The prognosis after early survival is promising.

Impella as a bridge-to-closure in post-infarction ventricular septal defect: a case series

Background

Post-infarction ventricular septal defect (PIVSD) is a rare, life-threatening complication of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Few studies report the use of mechanical circulatory support (MCS) for the treatment of cardiogenic shock in this setting. We describe our experience using a microaxial, transvalvular device (Impella, Abiomed, Danvers, MA, USA) as a bridge-to-closure for PIVSD.

Case summary

We identified 13 patients from two centres with cardiogenic shock due to PIVSD who received an Impella device between January 2016 and February 2022. Nine patients were transferred from another hospital, three with MCS devices [two intra-aortic balloon pumps (IABP), 1 Impella CP]. Eight patients received Impella 5.0, three received Impella 5.5 (one escalated from Impella CP), and two received Impella CP. The median time from AMI to Impella insertion was 5 (3-6) days. Five patients died on Impella support without an attempt to close the ventricular septum (VSD). Seven patients underwent successful VSD closure: six had surgical and one had percutaneous closure. One patient died during attempted percutaneous closure. Time from Impella insertion to VSD closure was 10.5 (7.8-14.0) days. Time from AMI to Impella was 5.0 (2.0-5.3) days in the group that survived to closure, and 6.0 (4.0-7.0) days in those who did not. Thirty-day mortality was 46%.

Discussion

Support with Impella improved clinical stability in most patients, yet multi-system organ failure leading to death occurred in many patients. Patients who survived closure had earlier time from AMI to Impella, underscoring that prompt recognition of PIVSD and initiation of MCS may improve survival to surgical or percutaneous closure.

Surgical Outcomes of Post-myocardial Infarction Ventricular Septal Defect/Rupture: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Ventricular septal defect (VSD) is a catastrophic acute myocardial infarction (MI) complication. Despite a significant reduction in the prevalence of post-MI VSD with the advancement of surgical techniques, it is still considered fatal with a high mortality rate. The trends in the clinical outcomes of patients with post-MI VSD show discretion due to the complexity of the disease. Therefore, the present analysis aimed to evaluate the surgical outcomes and associated risks in the patients of post-MI VSD. A thorough literature survey resulted in 40 studies of our interest. The pooled proportion of differential variables, including the incidence of cardiogenic shock, 30-day survival, and overall mortality, were estimated using Bayesian hierarchical models. The risk difference was estimated for the location of MI and VSD and mortality in patients with coronary artery bypass graft (CABG). In addition, the heterogeneity tests for inconsistency and publication biases using Egger's and Begg's tests were also estimated. The analysis revealed a significant risk difference of 0.23 and 0.27 for the anterior vs. posterior location of MI and VSD, respectively. Further, the pooled proportion of 30-day survival and mortality was found to be 54.43% (95% credible interval (CI): 52.88-55.98%) and 48.22% (95% CI: 4-12.3%), respectively. Moreover, the heterogeneity test revealed significant inconsistencies in all the datasets with an I2 index of >90% (p<0.0001). Lastly, the publication bias results suggested no evidence of asymmetry and small-study effects. Conclusively, the surgical management of post-MI VSD patients is considered beneficial; however, the outcomes signify its fatal behavior.

Hybrid approach to postmyocardial infarction ventricular septal defect repair

Postinfarction ventricular septal rupture is a rare and devastating complication of myocardial infarction. Despite attempts at acute surgical and percutaneous defect closure, morbidity and mortality remain high. Herein, we describe a hybrid surgical and catheter-based approach to defect closure in a 63-year-old woman with postinfarction ventricular septal rupture and cardiogenic shock.