Off-pump sutureless repair for ischemic left ventricular free wall rupture: a systematic review

BACKGROUND: Clinical results of ischemic left ventricular free-wall rupture show high mortality rates. METHODS: We reviewed studies published after 1993 on PubMed. RESULTS: A sutureless technique using fibrin glue sheets or patches with/without fibrin glue might contribute to improved clinical results. However, some technique limitations remain for blowout-type ruptures, and the possibility of a pseudoaneurysm formation at the repair site after surgery should be considered. CONCLUSIONS: The sutureless technique can be a promising strategy for the treatment of ischemic rupture, but serial echocardiographic studies should be mandatory for diagnosing a left ventricular pseudoaneurysm formation thereafter.