Transatrial repair of postinfarction posterior ventricular septal defect.

Repair of a postinfarction posterior ventricular septal defect generally has been performed by ventriculotomy in the infarct zone. This approach carries a significant mortality and morbidity from hemorrhage, extending infarction, or further compromise of ventricular function secondary to suture placement. A successful transatrial repair of a postinfarction posterior ventricular septal defect is presented. The simplicity of this operation and the patient's rapid recovery contrasted remarkably with the transventricular approach used in previous patients.