Ventricular Septal Defect and Left Ventricular Aneurysm After Acute Myocardial Infarction

The combination of an acute ventricular septal defect (VSD) and left ventricular aneurysm (LVA) is a rare, life-threatening complication which usually occurs within the first week following acute myocardial infarcttion (AMI). We describe the case of an apical VSD and LVA in a 77-year-old diabetic and dyslipidemic male patient after anterior AMI. The patient was an active smoker and had a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, arterial hypertension and atrial fibrillation. The patient underwent ventriculotomy for VSD repair using a large equine pericardial patch followed by intraventricular patch remodelling of the LVA. He was discharged 2 months after surgery and underwent a successful hip replacement 10 months later.