Blunt traumatic pericardial rupture.
A 28-year-old man presented with left chest, head and limb injuries following a road traffic accident (RTA). Increasing haemodynamic instability necessitated an emergency left thoracotomy at which a complete rupture of the pericardium and herniation of the heart was found. After repair, the patient made an uneventful post-operative recovery. The aetiology, investigation and management of this rare injury is discussed.
Levine
A J
AJ
Department of Thoracic Surgery, Birmingham Heartlands Hospital, UK.
Collins
F J
FJ
D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010496:Pericardium / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D012421:Rupture; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery