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Case Report: Lessons Learned From Aortic Valve Rupture After Blunt Chest Trauma
Qu-Ming Zhao1, Ling-Yu Lai2, Lan He1
1Pediatric Heart Center, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, National Children's Medical Center, Shanghai, China.
Frontiers in Pediatrics
|May 31, 2021
Summary
Aortic valve rupture (AVR) from blunt chest trauma is rare in children. This case highlights the need for transesophageal echocardiography in trauma patients with poor transthoracic echocardiography images, especially with heart failure signs.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Trauma Surgery
- Pediatric Critical Care
Background:
- Aortic valve rupture (AVR) from blunt chest trauma is an exceptionally rare injury in pediatric patients.
- Diagnosis can be challenging due to multiple injuries and suboptimal imaging conditions.
Observation:
- A 12-year-old boy sustained severe blunt chest trauma after a fall from 15 meters.
- He presented with delayed diagnosis of AVR, characterized by recurrent hemoptysis and ventilator dependence.
Findings:
- Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) images were suboptimal, delaying AVR diagnosis.
- Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is crucial for accurate diagnosis when TTE is inadequate, particularly in trauma cases.
Implications:
- This case underscores the importance of considering AVR in pediatric trauma patients with concerning symptoms, even with initial unclear imaging.
- Prompt and accurate diagnosis via TEE can lead to timely intervention and improved outcomes for aortic valve repair or replacement.
