Cardiac rupture by penetration of fractured sternum: a rare complication of cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
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.
Machii
M
M
Department of Emergency Medicine, Akita University School of Medicine, Japan.
Inaba
H
H
Nakae
H
H
Suzuki
I
I
Tanaka
H
H
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*