Rupture in a mitral papillary muscle following blunt chest trauma

The successful surgical repair of an uncommon case of blunt chest trauma is described. A 28-year-old man was involved in a motorcycle accident during which the victim struck a pole at high speed. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation was required with a tentative diagnosis of traumatic respiratory distress syndrome, but he nevertheless continued to show progressive deterioration. In the preoperative evaluation, transesophageal echocardiography clearly demonstrated an injury involving of mitral regurgitation secondary to total rupture of a papillary muscle. Mitral valve replacement was performed seven days after the accident. The importance of the diagnostic process and surgical treatment are emphasised.