title: Surviving Right Atrial Rupture From Blunt Thoracic Trauma After Pericardiectomy.
abstract: Right atrial rupture secondary to blunt trauma is exceedingly rare. We present a case report of blunt chest trauma and right atrial rupture in a patient with a background of pericardiectomy that were successfully managed surgically. Right atrial rupture must be considered as a differential diagnosis in patients with blunt chest trauma. In patients with previous pericardiectomy, this injury may manifest with massive hemothorax, and insertion of a chest drain should be performed with extreme caution. In our experience, urgent exploratory thoracotomy and repair of the defect are the mainstays of acute management.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Electronic address: sepehrlaj@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Sepehr Seyed
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Lajevardi
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Royal North Shore Hospital, St. Leonards, Australia.
authors.forename: Keyvan Karimi
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Galougahi
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Waikato Hospital, Hamilton, New Zealand.
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Nova
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Marshman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D006325:Heart Atria / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery*; D006335:Heart Injuries / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010492:Pericardiectomy; D017741:Survivors; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*