[Cardiac failure due to traumatic aortic valve rupture]

Cardiac failure due to valvular dysfunction is frequent as a complication of acute myocardial infarction, endocarditis or penetrating thoracic trauma affecting the heart and large vessels. Less frequently it is associate with nonpenetrating chest trauma. We presented a 69-year-old male with acute left heart failure after nonpenetrating thoracic trauma and sternum fracture. Transesophageal echocardiogram confirmed severe aortic regurgitation. A bilateral tear in the right coronary and non-coronary cusp was found. The aortic valve was removed and replaced with a number 27 Carpentier Edwards prosthesis. The postoperative course was uneventful.