A case report of blunt cardiac rupture

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Yardesh Singh1, Ammiel Arra1, Shamir O Cawich1

  • 1Department of Clinical Surgical Sciences, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad & Tobago, West Indies.

International Journal of Surgery Case Reports
|July 28, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Survival after blunt cardiac rupture from low-energy trauma is rare. This case highlights a survivor of ventricular laceration due to a displaced rib fracture, emphasizing early recognition and prompt thoracotomy for better outcomes in cardiac trauma.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Surgery
  • Trauma Surgery
  • Emergency Medicine

Background:

  • Blunt cardiac rupture, a myocardial laceration from chest trauma, is typically fatal.
  • Survival is rare, with fewer than 15 documented cases in 60 years.
  • Often associated with high-energy impacts, potentially overlooked in low-energy trauma.

Observation:

  • A 46-year-old male sustained blunt chest trauma from a low-velocity injury.
  • Presented with hypotension, tachycardia, and left hemothorax.
  • Diagnosed with pericardial and left ventricular laceration via emergency thoracotomy.

Findings:

  • Successful surgical repair of the left ventricular laceration.
  • Patient weaned from ventilation on day 4 with an uneventful recovery.
  • This represents the 16th reported survivor of blunt cardiac rupture.

Implications:

  • Blunt cardiac rupture can result from seemingly minor, low-velocity injuries.
  • Early recognition by first responders is crucial for diagnosis.
  • Prompt diagnosis and emergency thoracotomy are critical for survival in cardiac trauma.
Abstract

Keywords:
Blunt cardiac traumaCardiac tamponadeChest traumaHaemothoraxRib fractureThoracotomy

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