[Successful repair of blunt right atrial rupture; report of a case]

A 58-year-old male was compressed between 2 trucks during a traffic accident, and was brought to a local hospital with chest and back pain. Computed tomography showed pericardial effusion, and pericardiocentesis was performed. As cardiac rupture was suspected by the aspiration of blood, the patient was immediately transferred to our hospital. Pericaridocentesis was performed again with the introduction of a 7F sheath to release cardiac tamponade because the patient suddenly lost consciousness and showed respiratory arrest with shock just after arrival. After recovery from shock, the patient underwent median sternotomy. Surgery was performed without using cardiopulmonary bypass, and the rupture site in the right atrium was closed by direct surtures. The patient recovered without cardiac event and was discharged on the 46th postoperative day.