Aortic regurgitation and sinus of Valsalva-right atrial fistula after blunt thoracic trauma.
Non-penetrating chest trauma commonly causes a wide variety of cardiac injuries. Disruption of the aortic valve with resultant aortic regurgitation is not uncommon; conversely, a sinus of Valsalva-right atrial fistula, in the absence of a congenital sinus of Valsalva aneurysm, has been reported only once previously. This report describes the detection by preoperative cardiac catheterisation of both aortic regurgitation, and a sinus of Valsalva-right atrial fistula after blunt chest trauma, and its surgical management. The need for preoperative cardiac catheterisation in patients suffering from non-penetrating cardiac trauma is emphasised, even when the diagnosis appears cleas, because of the diverse nature and possible multiplicity of cardiac lesions.
D000328:Adult; D001018:Aortic Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D001022:Aortic Valve Insufficiency / Q000209:etiology*; D005402:Fistula / Q000209:etiology*; D006325:Heart Atria; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012850:Sinus of Valsalva; D013898:Thoracic Injuries / Q000150:complications*; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000150:complications*