ObjectiveThe aim of the study was to identify risk factors of early and late death after surgical repair of postinfarction ventricular septal rupture.MethodsDuring a 25-year period, from May 1981 to August 2006, 102 patients underwent repair of postinfarction ventricular septal rupture. Data were collected on clinical, angiographic, and echocardiographic findings; operative procedures; early morbidity; and survival time. Univariable and multivariable analyses were performed to identify risk factors of 30-day mortality and total mortality.ResultsThirty-day mortality was 33% altogether and decreased from 45% in the first half to 21% in the second half of the period (P = .01). Follow-up was a mean of 5.2 ± 6.2 years and a median of 2.9 years (...