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Updated: Aug 10, 2026

Echocardiographic Evaluation of Atrial Communications before Transcatheter Closure
Published on: February 8, 2022
Penetrating trauma to the tricuspid valve and ventricular septum: delayed repair
J R Doty1, D E Cameron, T Elmaci
1Division of Cardiac Surgery, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland 21287, USA.
Insights
Penetrating cardiac trauma, like gunshot wounds, can damage multiple heart chambers. Thorough examination during surgery is crucial for repairing complex injuries such as ventricular septal defects and valve damage.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Surgery
- Trauma Surgery
- Cardiac Anatomy
Background:
- Penetrating cardiac trauma presents diverse intracardiac injuries.
- Missile injuries pose challenges due to potential multi-chamber involvement.
- Early identification of all injuries is critical for optimal patient outcomes.
Observation:
- A case of late repair for a gunshot wound is presented.
- The injury involved a traumatic ventricular septal defect and tricuspid valve perforation.
- Diagnosis and repair were performed during a delayed surgical intervention.
Findings:
- Successful late repair of a complex ventricular septal defect and tricuspid valve perforation.
- Demonstrates the possibility of successful intervention despite initial diagnostic challenges.
- Highlights the importance of meticulous intraoperative assessment.
Implications:
- Emphasizes the need for comprehensive intracardiac anatomical evaluation in penetrating cardiac trauma.
- Informs surgical strategies for managing delayed presentations of complex cardiac injuries.
- Underscores the value of thorough surgical exploration beyond initial emergent findings.
Abstract:
Penetrating cardiac trauma can result in a wide range of injuries to intracardiac structures. Missile injury, in particular, can cause damage in more than one cardiac chamber that may be difficult to identify at initial emergent operation. We report a case of late repair of traumatic ventricular septal defect and tricuspid valve perforation from gunshot wound. This case illustrates the importance of thorough examination of intracardiac anatomy during emergent and delayed repair for penetrating cardiac trauma.
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