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An Image Guided Transapical Mitral Valve Leaflet Puncture Model of Controlled Volume Overload from Mitral Regurgitation in the Rat
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Late mitral valve regurgitation after bullet wound to the heart

Stéphane Aubert1, Olivio Souza Neto, Amit Pawale

  • 1Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Royal Brompton and Harefield NHS Trust, Harefield Hospital, Harefield, Middlesex, United Kingdom. stephaneaubert@yahoo.fr

The Annals of Thoracic Surgery
|July 26, 2006
PubMed

Insights

A rare gunshot injury to the mitral valve, initially asymptomatic, caused severe regurgitation 1 year later. Surgical repair of the anterior mitral leaflet hole resulted in successful recovery.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Surgery
  • Trauma Surgery
  • Cardiac Pathology

Background:

  • Gunshot wounds to the chest are uncommon causes of cardiac trauma.
  • Mitral valve injuries from ballistic trauma are exceptionally rare.
  • Delayed presentation of cardiac injury can occur years after the initial event.

Observation:

  • A patient presented 1 year after a gunshot wound that traversed the chest.
  • The bullet perforated the anterior mitral leaflet, lodging in the pericardium.
  • Initial presentation was asymptomatic, with symptoms developing after 1 year.

Findings:

  • Severe mitral valve regurgitation was diagnosed 1 year post-injury.
  • Surgical intervention involved repairing the defect in the anterior mitral leaflet.
  • Successful valve repair was achieved, addressing the regurgitation.

Implications:

  • This case highlights the potential for delayed complications from seemingly minor ballistic cardiac injuries.
  • Early recognition and surgical management are crucial for favorable outcomes in mitral valve trauma.
  • Mitral valve repair can be effective even in cases of delayed presentation following penetrating cardiac injury.

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