title: Treatment of ventricular septal defect after myocardial infarction.
abstract: Between 1978 and 1984 6 cases of ventricular septal defect after myocardial infarction were referred to this hospital. All 6 patients underwent cardiac catheterisation, had severe pulmonary hypertension and large left-to-right shunts (mean 64%). They were treated with high doses of diuretics and vasodilators, and underwent delayed surgery 6 weeks after rupture. Follow-up is from 1 to 7 years. There has been 1 late, non-cardiac death. The remainder are well. In our experience patients with congestive cardiac failure complicating ventricular septal defect after infarction can be stabilized initially on diuretic and vasodilator therapy, and surgery can safely be deferred until septal fibrosis allows adequate closure.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Wentworth Hospital, Durban.
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Gillmer
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Odell
authors.forename: A S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Mitha
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D006341:Heart Rupture / Q000628:therapy*; D006342:Heart Rupture, Post-Infarction / Q000628:therapy*; D006345:Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular / Q000628:therapy*; D006346:Heart Septum / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged