Transatrial repair of ventricular septal defect subsequent to myocardial infarction.

We describe successful transatrial repair of a ventricular septal defect occurring secondary to myocardial infarction. This approach avoids the need for ventriculotomy and may be technically simpler and safer than repair across the zone of infarction in a subset of patients with posterior defects and right ventricular dysfunction who survive the early period subsequent to their infarct.