Intraoperative postinfarct ventricular septal rupture during coronary bypass grafting

We report a case of a ventricular septal rupture (VSR) which occurred during coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) operation. The procedure took place 5 days after ST-elevation myocardial infarction of the inferior wall. The VSR repair was not performed at the time of the CABG operation. The intention was to wait until scar formation occurs to facilitate the repair. The patient was supported with venoarterial extracorporeal membranous oxygenation (VA-ECMO) and additional intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) on intensive care unit. Ten days after CABG the patient underwent a successful VSR repair and 5 days later was weaned from VA-ECMO. He was discharged from hospital 6 weeks after the initial CABG. This case report underlines the importance of VA-ECMO and a multidisciplinary approach with frequent examination of haemodynamic state in the treatment of patients with mechanical complications of myocardial infarction who are not suitable for immediate repair.