Current Understanding of Timing of Surgical Repair for Ventricular Septal Rupture following Acute Myocardial Infarction.

BACKGROUND: Ventricular septal rupture (VSR) is a mechanical issue that can occur following an acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and has a high mortality rate. It requires a comprehensive, team-based approach for prompt diagnosis and maintaining stable blood flow. While the occurrence of VSR has lessened over the past hundred years and advancements have been made in treatment techniques, the mortality rate within 30 days can still surpass 40 percent. Surgery is the primary treatment method. For patients with stable blood flow, it is generally considered safer to perform surgery 4-6 weeks after the AMI to repair the VSR. However, the timing of surgery for patients with early instability in their blood flow is still a topic of debate. SUMMARY: There is a lack of set criteria and standards to determine the best time for surgery in patients with VSR following an infarction who have unstable blood flow, especially when considering the use of blood circulation support devices and other techniques for maintaining blood flow that are used in clinical settings. KEY MESSAGES: This review outlines the features of different mechanical circulatory support devices utilized in treating VSR, along with the current scoring system designed to direct the treatment approach for VSR patients.

Delayed ventricular septal rupture complicated with ventricular aneurysm in a case of myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries.

BACKGROUND: Myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA) is a rare cause of heart attack, which may not receive sufficient attention from patients during post-discharge treatment, especially among those with normal coronary angiography results. CASE PRESENTATION: We present the case of a 65-year-old woman who was readmitted to the hospital with ventricular septal rupture (VSR) complicated by ventricular aneurysm, occurring 2 weeks after myocardial infarction. During the initial admission, coronary angiography revealed normal coronary arteries, leading to a diagnosis of MINOCA. Epicardial coronary vasospasm or coronary embolism was considered as potential causes; however, the patient did not adhere to standardized treatment upon initial discharge. The delayed VSR led to a decline in cardiac function but did not result in severe hemodynamic impairment. Following correction of heart failure with medications, the patient underwent percutaneous VSR repair 19 days after diagnosis and was discharged with a favorable recovery. CONCLUSIONS: The occurrence of delayed VSR complicated with ventricular aneurysm in patients with MINOCA is rare, highlighting the possibility of serious complications in MINOCA cases. Both cardioprotective therapies and cause-targeted therapies are essential in the management of patients with MINOCA.

Echocardiography in the Recognition and Management of Mechanical Complications of Acute Myocardial Infarction.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Although rare, the development of mechanical complications following an acute myocardial infarction is associated with a high morbidity and mortality. Here, we review the clinical features, diagnostic strategy, and treatment options for each of the mechanical complications, with a focus on the role of echocardiography. RECENT FINDINGS: The growth of percutaneous structural interventions worldwide has given rise to new non-surgical options for management of mechanical complications. As such, select patients may benefit from a novel use of these established treatment methods. A thorough understanding of the two-dimensional, three-dimensional, color Doppler, and spectral Doppler findings for each mechanical complication is essential in recognizing major causes of hemodynamic decompensation after an acute myocardial infarction. Thereafter, echocardiography can aid in the selection and maintenance of mechanical circulatory support and potentially facilitate the use of a percutaneous intervention.

Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor and coenzyme Q10 as adjunctive treatment for patients with ventricular septal rupture following late onset myocardial infarction: a case report.

Ventricular Septal Rupture (VSR) is a rare complication of acute myocardial infarction and has a high mortality rate. Surgery is the definitive treatment. However, in hospitals with limited facilities, treating acute myocardial infarction patients with ventricular septal rupture, is challenging. A 74-year-old woman came to the emergency room of Dr. Koesma General Hospital, Tuban, East Java in December, 2019 with late-onset Acute Myocardial Infarction. On the following day, a new holosystolic murmur was heard in the left lower sternal border with palpable thrill. Transthoracic echocardiography showed VSR with severe pulmonary hypertension. This was followed by a drop in the blood pressure to 80/50 mmHg. The blood pressure was dependent on vasopressors until lisinopril and coenzyme Q10 were introduced. After 3 months, the haemodynamics of the patient were stable. This proved that the use of angiotensin-converting enzyme and coenzyme Q10 promotes more energy production, enables tissue healing and leads to balanced remodelling to increase the survival rate in cases of non-surgical treatment.

Transition to heart transplantation in post-myocardial infarction ventricular septal rupture: a systematic review.

Post-myocardial infarction ventricular septal rupture (MI-VSR) remains a dreadful complication with dismal prognosis. Surgical repair is the primary treatment strategy, whereas the role of heart transplantation (HT) as a primary option in MI-VSR is limited to case reports (CRs). We performed a systematic review of CRs to describe in-hospital mortality, and survival at 6 and 12 months in adult patients with MI-VSR treated with HT as a primary or bailout strategy. We performed a comprehensive search of Web of Science, PubMed, and Ovid Medline. The last search was completed on March 10, 2020. An aggregated score based on the CARE case report guideline was used to assess the quality of the CRs. We included CRs that described adult patients with MI-VSR treated with HT as a primary or bailout strategy. A total of 14 CRs between 1994 and 2015 were included, retrieving and analyzing the characteristics of 17 patients. A total of 12 patients underwent HT, with HT being the primary strategy in 8 patients and a bailout strategy for 4 patients following initial surgical repair, while 5 patients died awaiting HT under mechanical circulatory support (MCS), accounting for the total in-hospital mortality of this series (29%). Regarding long-term outcomes, 6 patients were reported to be alive at 6 months and 1 year after HT, while information was missing in the remaining 6 patients. In conclusion, HT supported by the use of temporary and durable MCS as a bridge to HT could be a feasible primary or bailout strategy to reduce the high in-hospital mortality of patients with MI-VSR.

Advent of severe mitral regurgitation in surgical ventricular restoration and ventricular septal rupture repair.

BACKGROUND: Per-procedural severe mitral regurgitation is a rare complication in concomitant surgical ventricular restoration and postinfarction ventricular septal rupture repair. It is challenging to discover the underlying etiology and adopt an appropriate strategy, in particular, in a high-risk patient. CASE PRESENTATION: Semi-emergent surgical ventricular restoration combined with ventricular septal rupture closure and coronary artery bypassing was performed in a 67-year-old male patient. Severe mitral regurgitation was detected after the weaning of cardiopulmonary bypass. Two key questions arose in the management of this condition: did the regurgitation exist previously and was dissimulated by significant left-to-right shunt, or it occurred secondarily to the Dor procedure? Which was the better management strategy, chordal-sparing mitral valve replacement or mitral plasty? We believed that severe mitral regurgitation was under-estimated pre-operatively and we performed an downsizing annuloplasty to treat mitral regurgitation. The outcomes were promising and the patient did well in follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Our case brought out an open discussion on the etiology and therapeutic strategies of this complicated condition.

Post-infarction ventricular septal defect: percutaneous or surgical management in the UK national registry.

AIMS: Post-infarction ventricular septal defect (PIVSD) is a mechanical complication of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) with a poor prognosis. Surgical repair is the mainstay of treatment, although percutaneous closure is increasingly undertaken. METHODS AND RESUTS: Patients treated with surgical or percutaneous repair of PIVSD (2010-2021) were identified at 16 UK centres. Case note review was undertaken. The primary outcome was long-term mortality. Patient groups were allocated based upon initial management (percutaneous or surgical). Three-hundred sixty-two patients received 416 procedures (131 percutaneous, 231 surgery). 16.1% of percutaneous patients subsequently had surgery. 7.8% of surgical patients subsequently had percutaneous treatment. Times from AMI to treatment were similar [percutaneous 9 (6-14) vs. surgical 9 (4-22) days, P = 0.18]. Surgical patients were more likely to have cardiogenic shock (62.8% vs. 51.9%, P = 0.044). Percutaneous patients were substantially older [72 (64-77) vs. 67 (61-73) years, P < 0.001] and more likely to be discussed in a heart team setting. There was no difference in long-term mortality between patients (61.1% vs. 53.7%, P = 0.17). In-hospital mortality was lower in the surgical group (55.0% vs. 44.2%, P = 0.048) with no difference in mortality after hospital discharge (P = 0.65). Cardiogenic shock [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 1.97 (95% confidence interval 1.37-2.84), P < 0.001), percutaneous approach [aHR 1.44 (1.01-2.05), P = 0.042], and number of vessels with coronary artery disease [aHR 1.22 (1.01-1.47), P = 0.043] were independently associated with long-term mortality. CONCLUSION: Surgical and percutaneous repair are viable options for management of PIVSD. There was no difference in post-discharge long-term mortality between patients, although in-hospital mortality was lower for surgery.

Ventricular septal rupture: insights into an old disease.

Ventricular septal rupture (VSR) is a serious complication of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and surgery is the reference treatment. We aimed at describing trends in management and mortality during the last four decades and reporting mortality predictors in these patients. We conducted a single-center retrospective study of patients sustaining a VSR from 1981 to 2020. We screened 274 patients and included 265 for analysis. The number of patients decreased over the years: 80, 88, 56, and 50 in each 10-year time span. In-hospital mortality decreased significantly since 1990 (logrank 0.007). The median age was 72.0 years IQR [66-78] and 188 patients (70.9%) were operated on. IABP was used more routinely (p < 0.0001). In-hospital mortality was assessed at 66.8% (177 patients) and main predictors of death were a time from MI to surgery < 8 days HR 2.7 IC95% [1.9-3.8] p < 0.0001, a Killip class > 2 HR 2.5 IC [1.9-3.4] p < 0.0001 and Euroscore 2 > 20 HR 2.4 IC [1.8-3.2] p < 0.0001. A "time from MI to surgery" of 8 days offers the best ability to discriminate between patients with or without mortality. The ability of "Euroscore 2 and Killip" to detect the patients most likely to wait 8 days for surgery was at 0.81 [0.73-0.89] p < 0.0001. Mortality remains high over the years. Euroscore 2, Killip class, and time from MI to surgery are the main mortality predictors. Patients with a Killip < 3 and a Euroscore < 20 should be monitored at least 8 days since MI before being referred to surgery.

The evaluation of levosimendan in patients with acute myocardial infarction related ventricular septal rupture undergoing cardiac surgery: a prospective observational cohort study with propensity score analysis.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of levosimendan in patients with acute myocardial infarction related ventricular septal rupture (AMI-VSR) underwent cardiac surgery. DESIGN: Prospective observational cohort study with propensity score analysis. PATIENTS: There were 261 patients with AMI-VSR in our study. After 1:1 propensity matching, 106 patients (53 levosimendan and 53 control) were selected in the matched cohort. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS: Patients who received levosimendan were assigned to the levosimendan group (n = 164). The patients who were not received were levosimendan assigned to the control group (n = 97). The levosimendan was initiated immediately after cardiopulmonary bypass. Then, it has been maintained during the postoperative 3 days. The poor outcomes were identified as follows: death and postoperative complications (postoperative stroke, low cardiac output syndromeneeded mechanical circulatory support after surgery, acute kidney injury (≥ stage III), postoperative infection or septic shock, new developed atrial fibrillation or ventricular arrhythmias). MAIN RESULTS: Before matching, the control group had more length of ICU stay (6.69 ± 3.90 d vs. 5.20 ± 2.24 d, p < 0.001) and longer mechanical ventilation time (23 h, IQR: 16-53 h vs. 16 h, IQR: 11-23 h, p < 0.001). Other postoperative outcomes have not shown significant differences between two groups. After matching, no significant difference was found between both groups for all postoperative outcomes. The Kaplan-Meier survivul estimate and log-rank test showed that the 90-day survival had no significant differences between two groups before and after matching. CONCLUSION: Our study found that a low-dose infusion of levosimendan in AMI-VSR patients underwent surgical repair did not associated with positively affect to postoperative outcomes.

Insight into surgical outcomes of post-infarct-ventricular septal defect repair through a 23-year retrospective study-Invited commentary.

The authors present an excellent retrograde analysis of a rare condition of a phenomenal number of cases and their surgical outcomes. A majority of the studies in published literature are anecdotal case reports which are a rare and dreadful entity. A comprehensive countrywide view of the UK National Adult Cardiac Surgery Audit database is presented in this study. This study represents the changing trends in the risk factors, management strategies, and outcomes of ventricular septal rupture for over 23 years in a nutshell.

Point-of-Care Ultrasound Diagnosis of Ventricular Septal Rupture Post Myocardial Infarction: A Case Report.

BACKGROUND: Ventricular septal rupture (VSR) is a rare but life-threatening complication of ST-elevation myocardial infarction. Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is a rapid, noninvasive imaging modality that is easily accessible and highly effective in diagnosing VSR in the emergency department (ED) setting. CASE REPORT: A 73-year-old man with a history of type II diabetes mellitus and hypertension presented with complaints of intermittent chest pain for 48 h that had since become constant, associated with diaphoresis and shortness of breath. Physical examination was notable for shock and a new, grade V/VI systolic murmur. An electrocardiogram showed evidence of an inferior ST-elevation myocardial infarction (MI) with associated Q waves. POCUS revealed a large ventricular septal rupture with new ventricular septal defect and associated left-to-right shunting. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: POCUS in the ED setting is an effective and rapid tool for elucidating the etiology of various shock states. Emergency physicians should be aware of this particular case, as POCUS may help identify MI-related complications, including post-myocardial infarction VSR, that may necessitate surgical intervention as opposed to coronary reperfusion procedures.

Massive post-infarction ventricular septal rupture complicaing cardiogenic shock with long term veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support.

INTRODUCTION: Ventricular septal rupture (VSR) following acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is a rare but serious complication often causing cardiogenic shock (CS). The timing of surgery is a difficult problem for surgeons because of high mortality and surgical complexity. We present a case of successful use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for maintaining haemodynamic stability preoperative and delaying surgical repair of VSR patient in severe CS. CASE REPORT: A 57-year-old man with AMI complicated by severe CS due to an massive VSR. Emergency surgery was considered a too high mortality risk. The patient was implanted with a percutaneous veno-arterial ECMO (VA-ECMO) system as a bridge to surgery for stabilizing general condition. On the 31th day after ECMO implantation, the ventricular septal defect was successfully repaired and weaning from the ECMO. DISCUSSION: This case study illustrates that it may be considered to use long term ECMO preoperative to delayed surgery which leads to higher survival in cases of massive VSR patient after AMI in hemodynamically compromised patients. Still the optimal duration of mechanical circulatory support and the optimal timing for surgery need more research to define. CONCLUSION: This case indicates the feasibility of preoperative using of a long term VA-ECMO as a bridge to surgical repair of VSR patient after AMI in severe CS. The optimal duration of mechanical circulatory support and the optimal timing for surgery still require further investigation.

ECMO and Impella Support Strategies as a Bridge to Surgical Repair of Post-Infarction Ventricular Septal Rupture.

Background and Objectives: Post-infarct ventricular septal rupture (PIVSR) continues to have significant morbidity and mortality, despite decreased prevalence. Impella and venoarterial extracorporeal membranous oxygenation (VA-ECMO) have been proposed as strategies to correct hemodynamic derangements and bridge patients to delayed operative repair when success rates are higher. This review places VA-ECMO and Impella support strategies in the context of bridging patients to successful PIVSR repair, with an additional case report of successful bridging with the Impella device. Materials and Methods: We report a case of PIVSR repair utilizing 14 days of Impella support. We additionally conducted a systematic review of contemporary literature to describe the application of VA-ECMO and Impella devices in the pre-operative period prior to surgical PIVSR correction. Expert commentary on the advantages and disadvantages of each of these techniques is provided. Results: We identified 19 studies with 72 patients undergoing VA-ECMO as a bridge to PIVSR repair and 6 studies with 11 patients utilizing an Impella device as a bridge to PIVSR repair. Overall, outcomes in both groups were better than expected from patients who were historically managed with medicine and balloon pump therapy, however there was a significant heterogeneity between studies. Impella provided for excellent left ventricular unloading, but did result in some concerns for reversal of shunting. VA-ECMO resulted in improved end-organ perfusion, but carried increased risks of device-related complications and requirement for additional ventricular unloading. Conclusions: Patients presenting with PIVSR in cardiogenic shock requiring a MCS bridge to definitive surgical repair continue to pose a challenge to the multidisciplinary cardiovascular team as the diverse presentation and management issues require individualized care plans. Both VA-ECMO and the Impella family of devices play a role in the contemporary management of PIVSR and offer distinct advantages and disadvantages depending on the clinical scenario. The limited case numbers reported demonstrate feasibility, safety, and recommendations for optimal management.

Hybrid approach to postmyocardial infarction ventricular septal defect repair.

Postinfarction ventricular septal rupture is a rare and devastating complication of myocardial infarction. Despite attempts at acute surgical and percutaneous defect closure, morbidity and mortality remain high. Herein, we describe a hybrid surgical and catheter-based approach to defect closure in a 63-year-old woman with postinfarction ventricular septal rupture and cardiogenic shock.

Unrecognized concomitant ventricular septal rupture and left ventricular aneurysm 10 months after myocardial infarction in a patient presenting with chronic heart failure.

BACKGROUND: We report a rare case of concomitant inferior left ventricular aneurysm and ventricular septal rupture in a patient presenting with chronic heart failure. CASE PRESENTATION: An 81-year-old man suffered from congestive heart failure. His symptoms were alleviated by medical management; however, heart failure symptoms continued according to the New York Heart Association Functional Classification III. Ten months after presentation, ventricular septal rupture was diagnosed using echocardiography. The left ventricular aneurysm was also complicated. Surgical repair of the ventricular septal rupture and left ventricular aneurysm was successfully performed. The ventricular septal rupture consisted of multiple holes, and the infarcted myocardium had already progressed to firm, fibrotic scar tissue. We closed the ventricular septal rupture with a small bovine pericardial patch and performed an aneurysmectomy with a liner technique. CONCLUSIONS: Cases of ventricular septal rupture can have various clinical scenarios, and treatment should be optimized for each patient, especially with respect to the timing of surgery.

Urgent repair of postinfarct ventricular septal rupture with ECPELLA support: A case report.

A 74-year-old woman developed inferior myocardial infarction due to right coronary artery occlusion and underwent percutaneous coronary intervention. Two days later, echocardiography revealed ventricular septal rupture, and Impella CP was inserted to avoid emergency surgery. However, the patient's hemodynamics deteriorated rapidly, necessitating additional venoarterial extracorporeal membranous oxygenation support with concomitant Impella support (ECPELLA). The ventricular septal rupture was surgically repaired using the extended sandwich technique via a right ventricular approach; the ascending aorta was clamped with the clampable portion of the Impella. The patient was successfully weaned from the Impella 3 days postsurgery. This case suggests that urgent surgery with ECPELLA support could be a useful option for patients with ventricular septal rupture, even in severe cases wherein emergency surgery is unavoidable.

Increased number of ventricular septal rupture cases after acute myocardial infarction in 2020.

INTRODUCTION: Ventricular septal rupture (VSR) is a serious mechanical complication after acute coronary syndrome and is related to high mortality. Even with advances in the management of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) such as reperfusion therapies, complication rates are still high. During quarantine, patients presenting mechanical complications after AMI have increased in our institution. METHODS: From a retrospective database analysis in our institution between the years 2004 and 2020, we identified 37 cases of VSR after AMI. Four chronic cases were excluded from our analysis. The primary endpoint was to identify baseline characteristics that increased 30-day mortality. RESULTS: Among 33 acute cases of VSR, 24 cases were submitted to surgery. The 30-day mortality of the operated patients was 45.8%. From 2004 to 2019 our average number of operations of VSR was 1.9 cases/year with an increase to 4 cases/year in 2020. Diabetes mellitus, age, cardiogenic shock, and use of intra-aortic balloon pump were associated with significantly increased mortality using logistic regression. CONCLUSION: We reported an increased number of mechanical complication cases from April to September 2020, compared to our historical records. Despite therapeutic advances, mortality rates remain high. Although the number of cases is small to conclude that the pandemic was responsible for this augmentation, we believe that it is related to the decreased number of patients seeking medical assistance.

Mechanical Complications of Myocardial Infarction.

In this retrospective observational study, we have examined the incidence, characteristics, and treatment of serious myocardial infarction (MI) -associated mechanical complications (MCs) occurring in Japanese patients in this era of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), focusing on frailty, nutrition, and clinical implication of surgery. Included were 883 patients who, having suffered an MI, had been admitted to Nihon University Hospital between January 2013 and April 2020. Fifteen (1.70%) of these patients had suffered a potentially catastrophic MC-ventricular free wall rupture (VFWR, n = 8), ventricular septal rupture (VSR, n = 6), or papillary muscle rupture (PMR, n = 1). Factors associated with the MCs were age, poor nutritional status, a high Killip class, delayed diagnosis of MI, a high lactate concentration, a low thrombolysis in myocardial infarction flow grade, and single-vessel disease. Thirty-day mortality among MC patients was 60% (9/15): 87.5% associated with VFWR, 33.3% associated with VSR and 0% associated with PMR. On adjusted multivariate analysis, occurrence of an MC was independently associated with 30-day mortality. Despite a high surgical risk (EuroSCORE II: 11.8 ± 4.7) with less frailty, 30-day mortality was lower among patients whose MC was treated surgically than among those whose MC was treated conservatively (40.0% versus 100.0%, respectively; P = 0.044).Our data suggest that surgical intervention can save patients with a life-threatening MI-associated MC and should be considered, if they are not particularly frail.

Long-Term Survival and Risk Factors for Post-Infarction Ventricular Septal Rupture.

BACKGROUND: This study was performed to assess long-term survival and identify risk factors for acute myocardial infarction in patients complicated with ventricular septal rupture (VSR). METHOD: A retrospective analysis of 116 patients with post-infarction VSR (PI-VSR) hospitalised in Beijing Anzhen Hospital from January 2008 to February 2019 was performed. The independent risk factors for in-hospital mortality were assessed using multivariate analysis with a logistic regression model. The Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test were carried out for long-term survival in the surgery group. RESULTS: The overall in-hospital mortality rate was 47.4%. Logistic regression analysis revealed that age (p<0.05), female sex (p<0.05), no surgical repair (p<0.05), liver dysfunction (p<0.05), high heart rate (p<0.05), and low platelet count (PLT; p<0.05) were independent risk factors for in-hospital mortality. The 1-year mortality rate was lower in the surgery group than in the medical treatment group (18.3% vs 84.5%; p<0.005). During the mean follow-up of 5.2±5.1 years (median, 1.3 years), the actuarial survival rates of these patients at 5 and 10 years were 72.3% and 43.2%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The overall in-hospital mortality rate remained high. The independent risk factors for in-hospital mortality associated with PI-VSR were age, female sex, no surgical repair, liver dysfunction, tachycardia, and low PLT level. The 1-year mortality and long-term outcomes of patients treated with surgery were significantly better than those of patients who were treated conservatively.

Mortality and predictors of survival in patients with recent ventricular septal rupture.

Ventricular septal rupture (VSR) is a rare but fatal complication after acute myocardial infarction (AMI). However, the mortality in patients with recent VSR and appropriate timing of surgical repair have not been clarified. To examine the background characteristics and mortality of VSR patients as well as the usefulness and appropriate timing of surgery in this patient cohort. Among 3,947 consecutive patients with AMI at our hospital, 39 patients diagnosed with VSR from 2002 to 2020 were included in the analysis. All patients underwent transthoracic echocardiography to confirm VSR on admission. Coronary angiography (CAG) and measurement of pulmonary-systemic flow ratio were performed before emergent surgery. The use of mechanical support devices before or after procedures was considered for all patients who underwent CAG. Basically, we performed emergent or urgent operations to patients who were in a shock state or who needed mechanical support. The final decision of the timing of the operation was made by the cardiac team. Patients' mean age was 76.3 years, and 33.3% of them were males. Most culprit lesions were located in the left anterior ascending artery (81.3%). The mean pulmonary-systemic flow ratio after VSR onset was 3.07 ± 1.98. On admission, 48.7% of patients were in a shock state. Surgical repair was possible in 28 patients at a median of 1 day after admission, with a mortality rate of 25%. Among all patients, the mortality rate was 43.6%. Survivors were significantly younger (71.3 ± 11.3 vs. 82.7 ± 6.2 years, p < 0.01), had higher mean arterial blood pressure (75.6 ± 14.4 vs. 62.8 ± 16.2 mmHg, p = 0.0496) and lower ejection fraction (44.3 ± 11.7% vs. 54.8 ± 7.9%, p = 0.04), and underwent surgical repair more frequently (95.5% vs. 41.2%, p < 0.01) than the non-survivors. In multivariate analysis, younger age (odds ratio [OR] 1.18 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01-1.38, p = 0.04) and surgical repair (OR 0.04, 95% CI 0.00-0.73, p = 0.03) were significant predictors of survival. In surgical repair cases, time from admission to operation did not differ significantly between survivors and non-survivors. Surgical repair and younger age are predictors of survival in patients with recent VSR, but the timing of surgery was not.