Ventricular septal defect and ventricular aneurysm secondary to acute myocardial infarction. Report of four cases with successful surgical treatment.

Four cases of ventricular septal defect and ventricular aneurysm after myocardial infarction are reported. The clinical findings and surgical results in these four cases and in eight previously reported patients with this combination of complications are summarized. Resection of the ventricular aneurysm and closure of the ventricular septal defect appear indicated, both on theoretical grounds and in view of the excellent results observed in six patients who underwent combined repair. In one of our patients, closure of the ventricular septal defect and resection of the ventricular aneurysm were possible with only a single suture line, as these defects were anatomically contiguous.