Ventricular septal defect complicating acute myocardial infarction. Echocardiographic demonstration confirmed by angiocardiograms and surgery

The echocardiographic findings in one patient with a ventricular septal perforation as a result of an acute anteroseptal myocardial infarction are presented. Continuous echocardiographic scanning enabled us to demonstrate a septal discontinuity below the atrioventricular junction. The correct echocardiographic diagnosis was confirmed angiocardiographically. After surgical repair of the ventricular septal defect, the echocardiogram failed to reveal the septal discontinuity previously present. A search of the literature did not disclose any report of similar echocardiographic findings.