Extracorporeal Left Ventricular Assist Device as a Bridge to Surgery for Ventricular Septal Rupture After Acute Myocardial Infarction

Ventricular septal rupture (VSR) after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is a rare but often fatal complication. Surgery is considered the preferred treatment, although the optimal timing is discussed. The immediate preoperative hemodynamic status significantly impacts postoperative outcomes, making mechanical circulatory support (MCS) devices crucial for perioperative hemodynamic stability. We present the case of a 61-year-old woman with no remarkable cardiological history admitted to our hospital with a diagnosis of AMI and VSR. Due to hemodynamic instability and cardiogenic shock, we utilized an intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) and an extracorporeal left ventricular assist device (extra-VAD) as a bridge to surgery. After 17 days of IABP support, the patient experienced hemodynamic instability, elevated lactate levels, pulmonary edema, and eventually bedside endotracheal infiltration inventor-assisted breathing. Subsequently, the IABP was removed, and the patient underwent 6 days of extra-VAD therapy, resulting in hemodynamic stability, a decline in lactate levels, and a reduction in pulmonary edema on X-ray. Surgical coronary artery bypass grafting and VSR repair were successfully performed without periprocedural complications, and the patient was subsequently discharged. Extra-VAD is useful for serious cardiogenic shock in patients with VSR after AMI and may be considered a reasonable approach as a bridge to surgery.