Ventricular septal defect following myocardial infarction

Modified double patch repair with infarct exclusion technique for ventricular septal perforation: a case study

Background

Ventricular septal perforation (VSP) after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is accompanied by the worsening of rapid hemodynamics, resulting in a poor prognosis. In our department, infarct lesions are preoperatively detected with electrocardiogram (ECG)-synchronized contrast computed tomography, and the scope of approach and exclusion is determined. Furthermore, to effectively prevent a residual shunt, modified double patch repair and infarct exclusion techniques were used in combination to preserve left ventricular (LV) function. This method is reported because it considers both techniques as a surgical procedure that can be accomplished relatively easily and simultaneously.

Case presentation

We targeted two consecutive VSP patients who underwent this procedure. It took an average of 1 day from the onset of VSP to surgery. We performed double patch and infarct exclusion for VSP using bovine pericardium via an LV incision. Two patches were marked with a skin pen to anastomose eight mattresses equally. In addition, a one piece-coupled patch was made for infarct exclusion. The two patients were extubated on the day after surgery and intra-aortic balloon pump assistance was also withdrawn. Without perioperative complications, they could leave the intensive care unit after 6.5 days on average. Early postoperative ECG and magnetic resonance angiography showed good LV wall contraction, except at the infarcted area, with no evidence of a residual shunt.

Conclusion

The modified double patch repair with infarct exclusion technique is more effective for preventing a residual shunt and maintaining postoperative cardiac function than either of the techniques alone.

Surgical Repair of Mechanical Complications of Myocardial Infarction

Mechanical complications of acute myocardial infarction are estimated to account for 25,000 fatalities yearly in the United States. The diagnosis necessitates a high degree of clinical suspicion. Once recognized, prompt surgical intervention is necessary because if left untreated the condition frequently causes a fatal outcome. The main determinants of survival are the preoperative hemodynamic status of the patient, the presence of multisystem failure at presentation, and concomitant revascularization during repair of the defect. Because ischemic heart disease remains the leading cause of death in such patients following repair, coronary artery bypass should be considered and, whenever possible, performed in conjunction with repair of the postinfarct mechanical complication.

Acute inferior myocardial infarction complicated by rupture into the coronary sinus: diagnosis by two-dimensional echocardiography

Ventricular rupture is a catastrophic, often fatal complication of myocardial infarction. We present a unique case of left ventricular rupture into the coronary sinus that was diagnosed by two-dimensional Doppler echocardiography in a patient with a recent inferior myocardial infarction. The echocardiographic findings essential to diagnosis were subsequently confirmed at autopsy and are reviewed in detail.

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.

Percutaneous transaortic closure of postinfarctional ventricular septal rupture

We report a case of successful closure of a postinfarctional ventricular septal defect by means of the transaortic approach with a balloon catheter. This method brought about substantial improvement in cardiopulmonary function before an elective operation and made it possible to successfully perform the operation on the patient, an 81-year-old woman, on the 22nd day of admission.

The utility of echocardiography in the diagnostic strategy of postinfarction ventricular septal rupture: a comparison of two-dimensional echocardiography versus Doppler color flow imaging

The diagnostic accuracy of Doppler color flow imaging in the diagnosis of postinfarction ventricular septal defects has not been established. In this study, 43 patients with unexplained hypotension or a new murmur in the periinfarct period were evaluated with conventional two-dimensional echocardiography and Doppler color flow imaging. The presence of a ventricular septal defect was confirmed by oximetry, ventriculography, operative repair, or autopsy in each case. Both two-dimensional and Doppler color flow imaging were 100% specific in excluding a ventricular septal defect. Doppler color flow imaging correctly identified the 12 confirmed ventricular septal defects in this study (100% sensitivity), whereas any combination of two-dimensional criteria only correctly identified seven (58% sensitive) (p less than 0.05). Doppler color flow imaging is superior to conventional two-dimensional imaging in the diagnosis of a postinfarction ventricular septal defect. In addition, Doppler color flow imaging localized the septal defect, and thus guided therapy and technique for repair. Carefully performed Doppler color flow examination can exclude or result in the rapid diagnosis of a ventricular septal defect, which eliminates the need for further time-consuming confirmatory testing.

Postinfarction ventricular septal defect repair: retrospective thoughts and historical perspectives

Evolution of surgical techniques for repair of postinfarction ventricular septal rupture initially involved differentiation of these lesions from prior experience with surgical approaches to congenital ventricular septal defects, which were in the main not applicable. Second, understanding of the differing anatomical locations of postinfarction ventricular septal defects required innovation in terms of the location of the cardiotomy and type of repair necessary to achieve a successful result in any given patient. The gradual appreciation of different clinical courses pursued by patients after postinfarction ventricular septal rupture both in terms of location of the defect and the degree of right ventricular functional impairment has led to increased urgency relative to the timing of surgical repair. The incorporation of specific anatomical concepts of surgical repair and better understanding of the time course of physiological deterioration of patients can ultimately lead to an integrated approach aimed toward improved salvage of patients suffering this catastrophic complication of acute myocardial infarction.

Correlates of survival in patients with postinfarction ventricular septal defect

Prognostic indicators of survival in 42 consecutive patients (21 men and 21 women) with postinfarction ventricular septal defect were reviewed. Infarct location was anterior in 57%, inferior in 33%, and combined in 10%. The hospital mortality among 9 patients not receiving surgical therapy was 100%. Of the 33 surgically treated patients, 19 (58%) survived. Time from diagnosis to operation, ventricular function, and presence or absence of shock were analyzed in a logistic regression model to determine which factors carried independent prognostic value. Shock was independently predictive of operative mortality (p less than 0.01). Of additional variables examined, nonsurvivors were characterized by a shorter time from postinfarction ventricular septal defect to operation, a relatively higher incidence of inferior infarction, moderate right ventricular dysfunction and mild left ventricular dysfunction, and a lower right ventricular systolic pressure. Results of postmortem examination were available for 15 nonsurvivors. Quantitative analysis of percent ventricle infarcted revealed that in patients with inferior infarctions, a mean of 31% of the right ventricle was infarcted compared with 10% in patients with anterior infarction (p = 0.059). Kaplan-Meier survival estimates revealed 1-year survival of 70%, 5-year survival of 55%, and 10-year survival of 20%. Seventy percent of survivors were in New York Heart Association class I or II. These data show that, irrespective of ventricular function or timing of operation, the development of shock is the most important predictor of survival in postinfarction ventricular septal defect. The higher mortality in patients with inferior infarction may be associated with a greater degree of right ventricular infarction and consequent dysfunction. Finally, long-term survival and excellent functional recovery can be achieved in patients undergoing operation.

Ventricular septal and free wall rupture complicating acute myocardial infarction: experience in the Multicenter Investigation of Limitation of Infarct Size

Left ventricular rupture was studied in 849 patients enrolled in the Multicenter Investigation of Limitation of Infarct Size. Although documented rupture occurred in only 14 cases (1.7%), it accounted for 14% of in-hospital mortality. Seven of the 14 ruptures occurred within 2 days and 10 within 4 days of the MB-creatine kinase-determined onset of infarction. Three easily determined baseline characteristics defined a set of patients with a markedly increased risk of myocardial rupture. Rupture was 9.2 times more likely to occur in patients with all of the following characteristics than in the remaining patients: (1) no history of previous angina or myocardial infarction, (2) ST segment elevation or signs of Q wave development on the initial ECG, and (3) peak MB-creatine kinase value (greater than or equal to 150 IU/L). The risk of myocardial rupture with these three characteristics was 5.5%. Although these predictors are likely to be of little therapeutic value for free wall rupture, since most patients with that complication die within minutes of its onset, they may aid in alerting physicians to the early diagnosis and timely surgical correction of ventricular septal rupture.

Sequential rupture of the left ventricular free wall and of the interventricular septum after myocardial infarction. Surgical implications

Two patients are reported in whom ventricular septal rupture complicated the recovery from surgery for left ventricular free wall rupture. One patient was successfully reoperated upon, but the second died before the diagnosis was obtained. The importance of being aware of the association and of excluding a left ventricular to right ventricular shunt at the time of surgery, or subsequently during clinical deterioration, is discussed.

Experimental repair of ventricular septal defects using autologous right ventricular muscle flaps: preliminary report

Survival after repair of postinfarction ventricular septal defects remains poor, often due to extensive loss of contractile muscle in the septum or left ventricle. We evaluated whether a contractile flap of right ventricular muscle could be used to repair a similar ventricular septal defect to augment left ventricular performance in 7 fully instrumented mongrel dogs (weight, 23 to 28 kg). By using hypothermic bypass and cold fibrillatory arrest, a trapezoidal right ventricle flap was fashioned from the free wall of the mid to lower right ventricle, basing its widest portion anteriorly on the septum and left ventricle. A large, 2-cm-diameter core of septum was excised beneath this flap to simulate a postinfarct ventricular septal defect. The right ventricular flap was then invaginated through the defect and sewn to the left ventricular side of the septum with pledgeted sutures taken full thickness through the flap and septum in a "vest-over-pants" fashion. Contraction of the right ventricular flap was confirmed visually and by postbypass multiple gated acquisition scans. The right ventricular defect was closed with fascia lata. All dogs were weaned from bypass without inotropes. Precardiac and postcardiac outputs of 2.5 +/- 0.5 versus 2.3 +/- 0.4 L/min and left ventricular end-diastolic pressures of 4 +/- 2 versus 4 +/- 3 mm Hg were identical. No shunts were detected by oxygen saturation. Autopsies confirmed the integrity of the repair. We conclude that septal defects can be repaired by using contractile right ventricular muscle, thus preserving left ventricular function. This technique offers promise for repair of postinfarction ventricular septal defects by using autologous, already conditioned to contract, cardiac muscle, but its application in humans must await long-term testing.

Delayed repair of an acquired posterior septal defect through a right atrial approach

A patient with chronic postinfarction ventricular septal defect located posteriorly is described. The right atrial approach is suggested for these defects and the operative differences between chronic and acute defects are discussed.

Surgical management of postinfarction ventricular septal rupture

Recognition and treatment of patients with ventricular septal rupture following infarction have improved over the past 25 years to the extent that survival with good long-term palliation is achieved in the majority of patients treated surgically for this catastrophic complication of acute myocardial infarction. The small minority of patients who, by the process of selection, are seen for surgical correction of septal rupture several weeks after infarction routinely have repair of the septal defect with an operative risk of less than 10%. With increasingly early diagnosis of septal rupture, the majority of patients are seen for consideration of surgical repair often within hours after septal rupture. Most such patients seen early after septal rupture exhibit cardiogenic shock. Refinement of operative techniques both for suture repair of freshly infarcted myocardium and for repair of defects in different anatomical locations has markedly improved survival in these critically ill patients. Deferral of operation for the patient in cardiogenic shock after septal rupture represents a failed therapeutic strategy. Conversely, emergency operation for the patient with septal rupture and cardiogenic shock has markedly improved survival in this high-risk group. Prolonged intraaortic balloon pump support and deferred operation should be reserved for the uncommon patient who, because of delayed diagnosis or referral, is seen in an advanced stage of multisystem failure in which the risks of early operative intervention involve the function of organs other than the heart.

Ventricular septal defect after myocardial infarction: diagnosis by two-dimensional contrast echocardiography

Thirteen patients who had ventricular septal defects (VSDs) after myocardial infarction (MI) underwent two-dimensional echocardiography (2-D echo), with confirmation of the VSD by oximetry. Eight of the patients were male and five were female, ages 51-76 years. Five had anterior and eight inferior MIs. Two-dimensional echocardiography revealed akinesis or dyskinesis of the interventricular septum (IVS) in all 13 patients. In only six could a defect in the IVS be directly visualized. Two-dimensional echocardiographic left ventricular (LV) wall motion abnormalities correlated with ECG and angiographic site of infarction in all patients. Twelve patients had adequate saline contrast studies. Positive LV contrast (microbubbles entering the left ventricle through the VSD) was seen in 11 patients, and negative right ventricular (RV) contrast (washout of the RV bubbles by LV blood crossing the VSD) in five patients; at least one abnormality was present in every patient. The location of the VSD was determined by visualizing a VSD or by the site of the positive LV or negative RV contrast. Oximetry showed VSD shunts of 1.4:1 to 7:1, with no correlation between the degree of negative RV contrast and shunt size. Surgical or pathologic confirmation of VSD was obtained in 12 patients, with agreement of VSD location by 2-D echo in all. Four of the 11 patients who underwent surgical repair died, and two patients died before surgery could be attempted. We conclude tht 2-D echo is a sensitive, rapid and safe technique for diagnosing VSD after MI. Positive LV contrast, with or without negative RV contrast, is more sensitive in the diagnosis and localization of post-MI VSD than direct echocardiographic visualization of the defect.

Ventricular septal rupture: a review of clinical and physiologic features and an analysis of survival

Forty-one patients with postinfarction ventricular septal rupture were cared for in our hospital during 1971-1975. Cardiogenic shock developed after septal rupture in 55% of these patients. Shock was unrelated to site of infarction, extent of coronary artery disease, left ventricular ejection fraction, or pulmonary-to-systemic flow ratio, but mean pulmonary artery pressure was lower in shock than in nonshock patients. These observations suggest that shock was produced mainly by right ventricular impairment. Perioperative survival was much higher in patients who did not have shock preoperatively (14 of 17 [82+]) than in those who did (three of 11 [27%]). Magnitude of shunt, left ventricular ejection fraction, extent of coronary artery disease, and performance of aortocoronary bypass grafting were not distinctly correlated with perioperative survival. After a minimum 4-year follow-up, 76% of the perioperative survivors are alive, and none suffer more than New York Heart Association functional class II disability. All 13 unoperated patients (11 in shock) died within 3 months.

Right ventricular dysfunction in acute ventricular septal defect

Eight patients with acute ventricular septal defect (VSD) receiving early intra-aortic balloon augmentation, cardiac catheterization, and open-heart surgery are described. Because of the large shunts in this group of patients, there was visualization of the right ventricle during left ventriculography which was adequate for qualitative analysis. The following were noted: (1) All patients had severe right ventricular (RV) dysfunction angiographically. (2) RV akinesis noted on angiography was more extensive than the surgical description of RV infarction, although all patients had biventricular infarction at surgery. (3) The RV dysfunction was the major cause of death (two cases) or a contributing factor (three cases). (4) RV papillary muscle rupture was identified in one case.

Management of ventricular septal rupture in acute myocardial infarction

Four patients with rupture of the interventricular septum after myocardial infarction are described. This condition carries a grave prognosis. Surgical repair of the septum is almost always urgently required if the left-to-right shunt is large (QP/WS > 3). Results are better if surgery can be deferred for six weeks to allow the infarcted area to heal and the tissues to be come firmer. This delay may be achieved by using a combination of agents to reduce afterload and to exert a positive inotropic effect. The timing of surgical intervention was an important factor in the survival of three of the four patients.

Aneurysms of the posterior interventricular septum with postinfarction ventricular septal defect. Echocardiographic identification

Using real-time, two-dimensional echocardiographic techniques, we recently studied six consecutive patients with acute myocardial infarction complicated by rupture of the posterior interventricular septum. Each patient experienced an inferior wall myocardial infarction, with a prior anteroseptal infarction in one. In each case, the clinical course was punctuated by the onset of heart failure and a low output state prior to, or coincident with, the appearance of a pansystolic murmur. During two-dimensional echocardiographic study, all six were found to have a discrete aneurysm of the posterior interventricular septum. Septal dyskinesis produced bulging of the interventricular septum far into the right ventricular cavity during systole. Our findings suggest that (1) septal dyskinesis and aneurysm formation may be a valuable sign in diagnosing ventricular septal performation; (2) the reported incidence of postinfarction septal aneurysm at surgery or autopsy may significantly underestimate its true frequency; and (3) septal dyskinesis must by considered as a contributing factor to the compromised hemodynamic status of patients with postinfarction ventricular septal rupture.

Ventricular septal defect following myocardial infarction

Review of the literature since 1970 revealed more than 200 patients who had a ventricular septal defect following myocardial infarction and underwnet operation. Pathogenesis and diagnosis are discussed. The primary therapy is operative repair, which is considered from the standpoint of approach, timing, technique, concomitant coronary artery bypass, mortality, and long-term survival. Operative mortality in those patients operated on less than 3 weeks following perforation remains high (40%) but when it is possible to wait 3 weeks, there is a marked decrease in mortality (6%). Several general principles have evolved for the care of these patients. (1) Operation should be deferred until 3 weeks after infarction if possible. (2) The intraaortic balloon allows preoperative evaluation of the patient with clinical hemodynamic deterioration in the early postinfarction period. (3) The incision should be placed through the infarct. (4) Associated coronary artery or mitral valve disease should be repaired as well.

Prolonged circulatory support with the intra-aortic balloon pump after myocardial infarction

Circulation was supported by intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation for 30 and 38 days respectively in two patients with cardiogenic shock after acute myocardial infarction. One was flown 1400 km to Cape Town for heart transplantation but died after being weaned from the pump while awaiting a suitable donor. The other underwent successful surgical closure of a ruptured ventricular septum on the 30th day, allowing time for the edges of the ventricular septal defect to fibrose. Neither significant damage to circulating blood elements nor infection occurred, confirming the feasibility of prolonged circulatory support.

Perforation of the interventricular septum complicating myocardial infarction

The presentation and management of 21 patients with postinfarction ventricular septal defect (VSD) in whom surgical treatment was considered or performed since 1970 have been analysed and reviewed. An acute group of 11 patients, each of whom developed cardiogenic shock, 9 of whom came to surgery within one week from the onset of their VSD, had a poor outlook, only 27% becoming long-term survivors. Six patients were classified as subacute because their surgery was precipitated by worsening congestive cardiac failure in all, and by pulmonary oedema at the time of surgery in three patients. Four chronic patients were operated upon electively. The results in the subacute and chronic groups were excellent, and all are long-term survivors. Operative closure of the defect is best achieved by the use of a patch. Infarctectomy and aneurysmectomy are necessary in more than half of the cases. Left ventricular assistance by the intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation catheter has been disappointing and did not contribute to long-term survival. The major factor determining survival is the integrity of the closure, and the function of the remaining viable myocardium. Reoperation for reopening of the defect should always be considered.

Posterior rupture of the interventricular septum after acute myocardial infarction: successful early surgical repair

A patient with a large posterior ventricular septal defect complicating an acute inferior myocardial infarction is reported. Because of medically intractable biventricular failure, temporary circulatory assistance was initiated using intraaortic balloon pumping. Emergency coronary angiography, ventriculography, and subsequent operation were carried out. Operative repair involved closure of the septal defect with the use of a Dacron patch, infarctectomy, and aortocoronary bypass grafting and resulted in long-term survival of the patient.

Balloon-induced right ventricular outflow obstruction: a new approach to control of acute interventricular shunting after myocardial infarction in canines and swine

Current management of ventricular septal defect (VSD) after myocardial infarction (MI) is aimed at improving left ventricular (LV) performance by afterload reduction as a means of hemodynamic stabilization or shunt control. The current investigation was undertaken to determine whether primary manipulation of right venticular (RV) performance by afterload enhancement was an effective means of reducing MI-VSD shunting. In five open-chest dogs an external LV-RV shunt was created with pulmonary-systemic flow ratios (Qp/Qs) averaging 2.26:1. Inflation of a balloon-tipped catheter in the main pulmonary artery (PA) reduced average QP/Qs to 1.28:1 and shunt flow from 783 to 343 ml/min. However, this increase in RV afterload caused further significant increases in RV systolic and end-diastolic pressure and suggested that deterioration of RV function might be limiting the usefulness of this technique. To investigate whether inotropic support for the RV would overcome this limitation, a similar shunt was created in 11 open-chest swine. We then investigated the effects of dopamine, infused at 24, 60, and 120 mug/min, on QP/QS and other hemodynamic variables both with and without PA balloon inflation. Optimal shunt control was obtained when effects of dopamine were added to those of PA balloon inflation. Shunt flow that had been 1,633 ml/min was reduced to 892 ml/min with the PA balloon and reduced further to 757 ml/min with dopamine, which also lowered RV and LV end-diastolic pressure and reduced total systemic vascular resistance. In four other swine with left anterior descending ligations, PA balloon inflation and dopamine infusion again favorably affected hemodynamics. Epicardial mapping in these swine showed an increase in S-T segment displacement, suggesting that the cumulative effect of these interventions allowed hemodynamic improvement at the expense of enhanced ischemic injury. These data indicate that acute RV outflow obstruction with a balloon catheter is an effective means of temporarily reducing acute ventricular shunting and that dopamine may be a useful pharmacological agent to use with RV afterload manipulation to stabilize a patient prior to transfer to a medical center for more definitive therapy.

Clinical and hemodynamic results of intraortic balloon counterpulsation and surgery for cardiogenic shock

Forty-two patients with cardiogenic shock (CS) secondary to myocardial infarction were treated with intra-aortic balloon pumping (I.A.B.P.). In 14 patients C.S. was associated with ventricular septal defect (V.S.D.) and in four with mitral regurgitation (M.R.) secondary to rupture of the posterior papillary muscle. All patients were resistant to conventional medical therapy. Shock was reversed in 20 of the 24 patients in C.S. without mechanical complications. After 24 to 48 hours of I.A.B.P., cardiax index (C.I.) increased from 1.38 to 2.00 L./min./M2, systolic arterial pressure (S.A.P.) from 83 to 96 mm. Hg, urinary output (U.O.) from 10 to 56 ml. per hour, and pulmonary wedge pressure (P.W.P.) decreased from 22 to 16 mm. Hg. Three patients treated with I.A.B.P. alone survived more than 1 year; of the 13 patients who were balloon dependent, four have undergone emergency surgical procedures and two were long-term survivors. In all patients with mechanical complications, I.A.B.P. resulted in significant clinical and hemodynamic improvement. P.W.P. decreased from 19 to 15 mm. Hg, and U.O. increased from 13 to 38 ml. per hour while S.A.P. remained unchanged. In patients with V.S.D. the pulmonary/systemic flow ratio (P/S) declined from 3.5 to 2.8; in patients with M.R., "V" wave amplitude decreased by 8 mm. Hg. Emergency surgery was performed in 10 patients with V.S.D. and in three patients with M.R. and there were eight long-term survivors (13 to 27 months). It is concluded that I.A.B.P. is an effective means of supporting the circulation in C.S. Of the 42 patients with C.S. treated by combining I.A.B.P. and emergency surgery, 13(31%) were long-term survivors (20 +/- 6 months).