Thirty-one published reports (366 patients) and 48 consecutive patients treated for postinfarction ventricular septal defect at four institutions in northern California were reviewed. Overall hospital mortality was 43% in the reviewed group and was not affected by age, concomitant myocardial revascularization, date of operation, presence of cardiogenic shock, or location of the defect. Mortality for the 48 consecutive patients, all of whom had surgery within 30 days of acute infarction, was 67%. Although there were no survivors over 65 years of age, mortality was not affected by age, location of the ventricular septal defect, or concomitant myocardial revascularization.