P862 A conservative strategy for a frequently fatal post-myocardial infarction mechanical complication
Abstract A 88-year-old female was admitted for an anterior ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Patient had a history of intermittent chest pain for 2 days with worsening on the day of admission. Electrocardiogram (ECG) at admission showed ST-segment elevation on leads from V2 to V6 and leads DI and aVL. Initial observation on the emergency department was described as unremarkable apart from the chest pain. Aspirin and Ticagrelor loading doses were administered and patient underwent emergent coronary angiography, which showed left anterior descendent artery occlusion after the emergence of second diagonal branch. Coronary angioplasty of this lesion was tried, with a total of 3 drug-eluted stents implantation but with no success as in the end there was no reflow of the artery. Patient was then admitted on cardiac intensive care unit, and on observation at that time there was a remarking holosystolic murmur. Transthoracic echocardiogram showed (apart from left ventricle systolic disfunction with akinesia of the apical segments as well as middle segments of the interventricular septum (IVS) and anterior wall) an apical IVS defect with a left to right shunt with a gradient of around 50mmHg evaluated by Doppler, and no signs of right ventricle overload. Case was promptly discussed with cardiothoracic surgery and it was decided that she was not a candidate to urgent surgical intervention. Patient had an initial evolution in Killip class II, and remained hemodynamically stable for the rest of the admission, having no signs of heart failure on discharge at 17 days later. Serial ETTs during admission and at discharge were similar to the evaluation performed at admission. In the meanwhile, during admission, case was discussed in multidisciplinary heart team with cardiothoracic surgery and interventional cardiology. Given the favourable evolution and comorbidities and frailty of the patient it was decided to adopt a conservative strategy with medical follow-up, only considering intervention if there was worsening of heart failure. Until now, with 4 months follow-up, patient remains in New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class I. Discussion Post-myocardial infarction ventricular septal defect (VSD) is a complication that, regardless of the treatment strategy has a high mortality rate, especially when patient presents in cardiogenic shock. However, when patient is stable and especially when comorbidities imposes a high interventional risk medical treatment can be an option. So far, this is a successful case of a medically managed post-myocardial infarction VSD. Abstract P862 Figure. Ventricular Septal Defect