title: Cardiac rupture by penetration of fractured sternum: a rare complication of cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
abstract: We report an 82-year-old man in whom cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was unsuccessful. The postmortem examination revealed right atrial ruptures and pericardial sac perforation by a fractured sternal edge. Even though CPR-related cardiac rupture is rare, emergency medical staff should be aware of this complication.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Akita University School of Medicine, Japan.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Machii
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Inaba
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Nakae
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Suzuki
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tanaka
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016887:Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000209:etiology*; D006335:Heart Injuries / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013249:Sternum / Q000293:injuries*