Traumatic rupture of the pulmonary artery.
Traumatic rupture of the main pulmonary artery in a surviving patient is very rare. The case history of a 37-year-old man who sustained blunt chest trauma in a motor vehicle accident is presented. A persistent, bloody right pleural effusion led to the diagnosis of a ruptured right main pulmonary artery, which was surgically repaired using cardiopulmonary bypass. Points of diagnostic interest and therapeutic decision making are discussed.
Collins
M P
MP
Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, LDS Hospital, Salt Lake City, Utah.
Robinson
G C
GC
D000328:Adult; D002315:Cardiopulmonary Bypass; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000209:etiology; D011651:Pulmonary Artery / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D012421:Rupture; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*