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Ventricular septal defects due to penetrating injuries of the heart
Canadian Medical Association Journal
|December 23, 1972
Insights
Successful open heart repair was performed on four patients with traumatic ventricular septal defects from stab wounds. Despite minimal hemodynamic issues, patients were symptomatic, highlighting the need for surgical intervention in these traumatic cardiac injuries.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Surgery
- Trauma Surgery
- Cardiac Repair
Background:
- Traumatic ventricular septal defects (VSDs) are rare but serious complications of penetrating chest trauma.
- Patients may present with symptoms despite seemingly stable hemodynamics.
- Associated injuries, such as aorto-right atrial fistulas, can occur.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report the successful surgical outcomes for patients with traumatic VSDs.
- To emphasize the importance of surgical repair in symptomatic patients with traumatic VSDs.
- To highlight the potential for complex associated injuries.
Main Methods:
- Open heart surgery for repair of ventricular septal defects.
- Surgical management of associated aorto-right atrial fistulas.
- Case series review of four patients with traumatic VSDs.
Main Results:
- All four patients with traumatic VSDs underwent successful open heart repair.
- Patients remained symptomatic despite minimal hemodynamic disturbances prior to repair.
- One patient developed an additional aorto-right atrial fistula, which was also surgically addressed.
Conclusions:
- Open heart repair is an effective treatment for traumatic ventricular septal defects.
- Symptomatic presentation warrants surgical intervention even with minimal hemodynamic compromise.
- Complex injuries require comprehensive surgical management.
Abstract:
Four patients with traumatic ventricular septal defect following stab wound underwent successful open heart repair. All were symptomatic in spite of minimal hemodynamic disturbances. An additional lesion in the form of a fistulous tract between the aorta and the right atrium occurred in one case.