[Complex cardiac lesion diagnosed more than 20 years after the causal injury]

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Cardiac Surgery
• Trauma Surgery

Background:

• Penetrating cardiac trauma can lead to delayed complications.
• Valvular regurgitation and intracardiac fistulas are known sequelae.
• Cardiac failure may manifest years after the initial injury.

Observation:

• A case of a patient with severe cardiac failure is presented.
• The patient had mitral and aortic regurgitation with an aorto-left atrial fistula.
• These complex cardiac lesions resulted from a penetrating wound sustained over 20 years prior.

Findings:

• The study highlights a rare case of delayed presentation of cardiac lesions post-trauma.
• Surgical intervention successfully repaired the valvular regurgitation and aorto-left atrial fistula.
• Complete repair resulted in a good functional outcome for the patient.

Implications:

• This case underscores the importance of long-term follow-up for patients with penetrating cardiac injuries.
• It demonstrates the feasibility and efficacy of surgical repair for complex, delayed cardiac lesions.
• Understanding diverse cardiac injury presentations is crucial for timely diagnosis and treatment.