THE SUCCESSFUL SURGICAL REPAIR OF A RUPTURED INTERVENTRICULAR SEPTUM FOLLOWING A MYOCARDIAL INFARCT IN AN 89-YEAR-OLD MAN

This case report describes the successful repair of an acquired ventricular septal defect following an anterior full thickness myocardial infarct in an 89 year old man. Four months after the infarct the patient was in severe congestive cardiac failure (NYHA Class IV), despite medical treatment, with signs of a ventricular septal defect. This was confirmed by echodoppler and cardiac catherterization. Surgical repair of the ventricular septal defect was performed. He made an uncomplicated recovery and two and a half years later is well and active. We believe he is the oldest patient who has had this operation successfully.