Long-term survival with acquired ventricular septal defect after myocardial infarction.
Acquired ventricular septal defects (VSD) are rare and devastating complications after myocardial infarction. The long-term prognosis with medical therapy is extremely poor. We report on a patient who developed progressive heart failure within 3 months after myocardial infarction due to an unknown VSD. The left ventricular function was severely impaired. After diagnosing VSD by echocardiography, surgical occlusion was performed. In addition, a biventricular pacemaker was applied using epicardial leads. The patient recovered almost completely 6 weeks postoperative. Beside hemodynamic changes, biventricular pacing is potentially sufficient to improve the postoperative outcome of patients with severe heart failure in these conditions.
Alter
Peter
P
Department of Internal Medicine-Cardiology, Philipps University of Marburg/Lahn, Marburg, Germany. alter@mailer.uni-marburg.de
Maisch
Bernhard
B
Moosdorf
Rainer
R
D000368:Aged; D000783:Aneurysm / Q000209:etiology; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D006345:Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000150:complications*; D013318:Stroke Volume; D017741:Survivors