Transatrial Approach to Posterior Postinfarct Ventricular Septal Defects

Repair of posterior postinfarct ventricular septal defects via the transinfarct left ventriculotomy is technically challenging and can be associated with significant morbidity. A transatrial approach avoids incising through the acutely infarcted myocardium and, in selected cases, offers a safe and reliable repair of these defects. (Ann Thorac Surg 1996;62:903–4)