[Septal rupture in elderly patients. Apropos of 2 cases treated surgically in the acute phase of myocardial infarction].

Two cases of interventricular septal rupture (VSR) in elderly patients (71 and 74 years) occurring at the 5th and 12th day of primary postero-inferior myocardial infarction, were reported. The diagnosis was made at 2D echocardiography and confirmed at catheterisation with coronary angiography. Good surgical results were obtained after operation 72 and 12 hours after VSR (9th and 12th infarct days, respectively): the first patient had a good outcome with a 2 year follow-up, but the second patient died in the 55th postoperative day, of renal failure. The authors underline the value of 2D echo in the management of acute myocardial infarction and in the detection of VSR. In addition, the advances in intensive care and surgical techniques allow early and complete cure of cardiac lesions with a low hospital mortality and significant functional improvement, even in the elderly patient.