title: Cardiac rupture due to blunt trauma.
abstract: Cardiac rupture due to blunt trauma has been recognized with increasing frequency over the past two decades. The mortality rate is high and the majority of patients die before they arrive at the emergency department. A high index of suspicion and prompt surgical intervention are crucial for survival. We report the management of two patients, one with a double right atrial tear and one with a single right atrial tear, after each was involved in a motor vehicle accident.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, State University of New York, Health Science Center, Syracuse 13210, USA.
authors.forename: A K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Tassiopoulos
authors.forename: R E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Carlin
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Dibos
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: McGraw
mesh_terms: D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006335:Heart Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013898:Thoracic Injuries / Q000150:complications*