Occlusion of the right coronary artery after blunt thoracic trauma with fatal outcome: A case report and review of the literature.
BACKGROUND
Although damage of the heart vessels is a possible complication of blunt thoracic trauma, occlusion of the right coronary artery is rare and demands high level of suspicion by the emergency physicians.


OBJECTIVE
Our objective is to present a case of fatal acute occlusion of the right coronary artery after blunt thoracic trauma due to vehicle accident and conduct a brief review of the current literature.


METHODS
A 58-year-old sustained chest trauma after a vehicle accident, complicated by acute occlusion of the right coronary artery. Despite invasive intervention the patient deteriorated and died due to multi-organ failure.


CONCLUSIONS
Acute occlusion of the right coronary artery is a rare complication of blunt chest trauma. Early diagnosis and intervention, collaboration between different specialties and proper hospitalization are vital for the outcome of the patient.
Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care Unit, AHEPA University Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.
G
G
Kotsovolis
Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care Unit, AHEPA University Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.
Z
Z
Aidoni
Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care Unit, AHEPA University Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.
E
E
Geka
Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care Unit, AHEPA University Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.
M
M
Peftoulidou
Inferior wall myocardial infarction; chest injury; fatal outcome