Blunt chest trauma causing right atrial tear, hemopericardium and cardiac tamponade successfully treated with cardiorrhaphy.
A 26-year-old female was involved in a car accident with impaction of the steering wheel to the anterior chest. She became unconscious immediately. Blood pressure was unmeasurable, central venous pressure was measured at 25 cm H2O. Cross-sectional echocardiography revealed pericardial effusion and a band-like blood clot in the posterior inferior aspect of the heart. At operation, a right atrial tear measuring 1 cm in length was noted and was repaired with cardiorrhaphy. She recovered uneventfully.
Fang
B R
BR
Division of Cardiology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C.
Chang
J P
JP
Chang
C S
CS
D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D000328:Adult; D002305:Cardiac Tamponade / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006325:Heart Atria / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery; D006335:Heart Injuries / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D010490:Pericardial Effusion / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000150:complications*