Iatrogenic chest tube placement within the heart following a large pneumothorax
Shervin Zoghi1, Cameron L Brock2, Kwame Atsina3
1School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, USA.
Abstract:
This case report describes an uncommon occurrence of cardiac injury and perforation resulting from chest tube placement. The patient, a 44-year-old female, presented to the ED with severe blunt force trauma following a pedestrian motor vehicle collision. Imaging revealed a large pneumothorax and multiple fractures. Pulsatile bleeding was observed during chest tube placement, and the tube's tip was later found on CT of the thorax to be located within the heart. Although the patient recovered by postoperative day 13 and was subsequently discharged, this case highlights the importance of performing this procedure under image-guidance, along with elucidating the critical role of serial thorough clinical evaluations and prompt imaging for early detection and management of complications.
Related Concept Videos
Pneumothorax-II
Clinical Manifestations:
Pneumothorax-I
Pneumothorax can be even further classified as spontaneous, traumatic, and tension pneumothorax.
Endoscopic Studies II: Thoracocentesis
Description
Excess pleural fluid or air may accumulate in some respiratory disorders in the thoracic cavity. To treat pleural effusion, a physician conducts thoracentesis by carefully piercing the chest wall and entering...
Tracheostomy: Procedure and Tubes
Tracheostomy tubes can be made of semiflexible plastic (polyurethane or silicone), rigid plastic, or metal, and they come in...
Flail Chest-II
Assessment:
1. Clinical Evaluation:
History:
Pulmonary Embolism II: Diagnostic Studies and Interprofessional Care


