Mitral incompetence and ventricular septal defects following non-penetrating injury

A case of mitral incompetence and multiple ventricular septal defects following a non-penetrating chest injury is described. Cardiac injury was detected by electrocardiogram and by the appearance of a heart murmur in the second week after trauma. Superimposition of bacterial endocarditis seven years later caused cardiac decompensation and necessitated successful surgical treatment. Previous reported cases are reviewed.