Blunt cardiac trauma resulting in right atrial rupture.
Between 50,000 and 60,000 persons in the United States die each year as a result of motor vehicle accidents. It is estimated that myocardial rupture occurs in 10% to 15% of victims of fatal accidents. We recently cared for five patients with atrial rupture in the Columbus, Ohio, metropolitan area, and this experience has prompted this report.
D000328:Adult; D002305:Cardiac Tamponade / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006325:Heart Atria / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery; D006335:Heart Injuries / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000150:complications*