Risk Factors, Angiographic Patterns, and Outcomes in Patients With Ventricular Septal Defect Complicating Acute Myocardial Infarction

Abstract

Compared with historical control subjects, patients who undergo thrombolysis within 6 hours of infarction onset may have a reduced risk of later VSD. If patients develop this mechanical complication, however, it typically occurs sooner than described in the prethrombolytic era. Despite improvements in medical therapy and percutaneous and surgical techniques, mortality with this complication remains extremely high.