How to anastomose a patch to avoid residual leak in the infarct exclusion method.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Postinfarction ventricular septal defect is a potentially lethal complication of acute myocardial infarction for which surgical repair is mandatory. The infarct exclusion method has contributed to improving surgical outcomes, but a certain percentage of residual leakage continues to be reported. We considered possible mechanisms of residual leakage and modified the sewing method to overcome these mechanisms.

METHOD: A bovine pericardial patch and a Teflon felt strip between the patch and endocardium to achieve good fit were used. The patch and felt were anchored with U stay sutures and reinforced with a running suture.

RESULTS

Use of the modified method in seven cases showed improved outcomes. Only one patient had trivial leakage, compared to nine cases using the older method; six of nine patients had residual leaks, including three minor ones.

CONCLUSIONS

Our method is a rational approach that effectively reduces residual leakage.