Blunt cardiac rupture

Cardiac rupture as a result of blunt trauma is not commonly encountered. Seven patients with this injury have been treated at Groote Schuur Hospital over the past 14 years. All presented with cardiovascular collapse and 4 developed signs of cardiac tamponade. A clinical diagnosis was made in 4 patients and echocardiography was done in 3. Pericardiocentesis was used in 1 patient to confirm the diagnosis. Significant diagnostic delay occurred in 1 patient with associated liver rupture. Two patients required emergency room thoracotomy. All other patients were approached using a median sternotomy. Five patients survived, giving an overall survival rate of 71%. Five patients had right atrial ruptures and 2 right ventricular ruptures. One patient with right ventricular rupture died in the operating room, while another patient with multiple right atrial ruptures died from multiple organ failure after 11 days. We also briefly review the history, mechanisms and pathology.