Early repair of postinfarction ventricular septal rupture: infarct exclusion, septal stabilization, and left ventricular remodeling.

A surgical technique for safe early repair of ventricular septal rupture is described. The technique consists of exclusion of the infarcted area, septal stabilization, and remodeling of the left ventricle with an internal two-patch method. This technique is simple and reliable, and it appeared favorable in an elderly patient group. Six of 7 patients were treated with good results.