Acute Ischaemic Ventricular Septal Defect-A Formidable Surgical Challenge

Background: To evaluate our surgical results for Acute Ischaemic Ventricular Septal Defect and suggest practice guidelines. Methods: Retrospective review of data from patient records between 1992 and 2006 for presentation, surgical approaches, morbidity and mortality, statistically analysed to derive guidelines for management. Results: We had 36 patients with a mean age of 70.44(+/-6.34) years. Fourteen patients had inferior defects. Twenty-eight patients were in shock (22 on pre-operative IABP). Severe LV and RV dysfunction were present in 18 and 20 patients respectively. At surgery, 17 had infarct resection with patching while 18 had repair with infarct exclusion. Concomitant CABG was performed in 15. One patient was re-operated on for mitral valve replacement and one for recurrent VSD. Recurrent VSD was common (11 patients). Two of these patients underwent percutaneous device closure of whom one died. Prolonged ICU and hospital stay was normal. Early mortality was 52.78% (inferior defects-85.71% and anterior defects-31.82%). Inferior VSD (OR 7.7) and pre-operative shock (OR 6.7), predicted mortality. The subgroup of inferior VSD with shock had mortality equating that with medical management published in literature. Conclusions: Acute Ischaemic VSD is a grim surgical disease marked by residual shunts and high mortality. Patients with inferior defects with shock should be offered surgery only under exceptional circumstances. (Heart, Lung and Circulation 2010;19:71-74) (C) 2009 Australasian Society of Cardiac and Thoracic Surgeons and the Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.