Cj. Ellis et al., GOOD LONG-TERM OUTCOME FOLLOWING SURGICAL REPAIR OF POSTINFARCTION VENTRICULAR SEPTAL-DEFECT, Australian and New Zealand Journal of Medicine, 25(4), 1995, pp. 330-336
Background: A post-infarction ventricular septal defect (VSD) is a ser
ious complication of a myocardial infarction with 90% of patients dyin
g 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 l
ong-term follow up. Methods: A retrospective case note review of all 3
5 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 m
ortality 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.