[Mitral annuloplasty ring dehiscence after blunt chest trauma]

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Surgery
• Trauma Surgery
• Cardiac Rehabilitation

Background:

• Mitral regurgitation (MR) can occur after chest trauma.
• Previous cardiac surgery, including coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and mitral annuloplasty, can influence MR presentation.
• Flexible annuloplasty rings, like the Duran ring, are used to treat MR.

Observation:

• A 61-year-old woman presented with recurrent severe mitral regurgitation.
• The patient had a history of blunt chest trauma with deceleration injury.
• She had previously undergone CABG and mitral annuloplasty with a flexible Duran ring.

Findings:

• At reoperation, partial dehiscence of the mitral annuloplasty ring was identified.
• The flexible Duran ring had become rigid.
• The partial dehiscence of the rigid annuloplasty ring was the cause of recurrent severe mitral regurgitation.

Implications:

• This case underscores the potential for late complications following mitral annuloplasty, including ring dehiscence.
• Trauma can precipitate or exacerbate pre-existing cardiac conditions, such as mitral regurgitation.
• Successful surgical repair of a dehisced and rigid annuloplasty ring is feasible.