[Post-traumatic heart aneurysms]

On the basis of an analysis of 56 cases of posttraumatic aneurysms of the heart described in the literature and 2 personal observations the authors give a description of etiology, pathogenesis, clinical picture, diagnosis and treatment of the disease. In one case of the two personal observations the aneurysm of the heart developed following a blunt trauma of the chest and was accompanied by the appearance of coronary-left-ventricular fistulas. The patient was subjected to a resection of the aneurysm with a satisfactory remote result. In the other case the aneurysm of the heart resulted from a stab wound of the heart. The heart wound was sutured. The patient was not operated for the aneurysm of the heart.