Cardiac damage in nonpenetrating chest injuries. Report of 5 cases.
The Authors report 5 cases of cardiac injury after blunt chest trauma: (a) one right atrial disruption with acute tamponade treated successfully; (b) two left ventricular perforations with rib fractures: one patient was exsanguinated and died, the other one presented a late subacute cardiac tamponade with successful operative repair; (c) one isolated traumatic tricuspid insufficiency which was well tolerated; (d) one atrio-inferior caval disruption with acute tamponade. Cardiac damage secondary to nonpenetrating chest trauma is uncommon but with the present modes of high speed transportation they are occurring with increasing frequency; correct management of cardiac ruptures depends upon rapid recognition of the injury and expeditious surgical repair. The occurrence of tricuspid valvular lesions alone as a result of nonpenetrating trauma is not common. Echocardiographic examination after blunt chest trauma is a useful diagnosis procedure.
Glock
Y
Y
Department of Cardio-Vascular Surgery, Hospital University Center of Rangueil, Toulouse, France.
Massabuau
P
P
Puel
P
P
D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002305:Cardiac Tamponade / Q000209:etiology; D004452:Echocardiography; D006335:Heart Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013898:Thoracic Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology; D014262:Tricuspid Valve Insufficiency / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology