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[Cardiac failure due to traumatic aortic valve rupture]
Y Carrascal Hinojal1, J J Legarra Calderón, G Pradas Montilla
1Unidad de Cirugía Cardíaca. Instituto Galego de Medicina Técnica, MEDTEC. Hospital do Meixoeiro, Vigo,. Pontevedra.
Revista Espanola De Cardiologia
|June 20, 2001
Summary
Severe aortic regurgitation following nonpenetrating chest trauma caused acute left heart failure in a 69-year-old male. Surgical aortic valve replacement was successfully performed, resolving the heart failure.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Cardiovascular Surgery
- Trauma Surgery
Background:
- Cardiac valvular dysfunction is a common complication of myocardial infarction, endocarditis, and thoracic trauma.
- Nonpenetrating chest trauma can less frequently lead to valvular heart disease.
- Acute left heart failure can arise from severe valvular dysfunction.
Observation:
- A 69-year-old male presented with acute left heart failure after sustaining nonpenetrating thoracic trauma and a sternum fracture.
- Transesophageal echocardiography revealed severe aortic regurgitation.
- The aortic valve exhibited a bilateral tear in the right coronary and non-coronary cusp.
Findings:
- The patient underwent aortic valve replacement with a Carpentier Edwards prosthesis (size 27).
- The surgical intervention successfully addressed the severe aortic regurgitation.
- Postoperative recovery was uneventful, indicating successful treatment.
Implications:
- This case highlights nonpenetrating chest trauma as a potential cause of severe aortic regurgitation and subsequent heart failure.
- Prompt diagnosis and surgical intervention, such as aortic valve replacement, are crucial for managing traumatic valvular dysfunction.
- The successful outcome underscores the efficacy of surgical repair in cases of aortic valve injury due to blunt chest trauma.