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Traumatic tricuspid valve rupture with luxation of the heart
K B Prenger1, T O Ophuis, J M van Dantzig
1Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University Hospital Maastricht, The Netherlands.
Insights
This study details three cases of heart luxation due to pericardial tears and traumatic tricuspid valve papillary muscle rupture. Despite delayed surgery, all patients survived with repositioning, pericardial repair, and tricuspid valve repair.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Cardiac Surgery
- Trauma Medicine
Background:
- Pericardial tears can lead to heart luxation.
- Traumatic papillary muscle rupture affects tricuspid valve function.
- Combined injuries pose significant diagnostic and therapeutic challenges.
Observation:
- Three patients presented with heart luxation and tricuspid valve papillary muscle rupture.
- Preoperative diagnosis of heart dislocation was rare (1/3 patients).
- Surgical intervention was delayed in all cases.
Findings:
- All three patients survived the complex surgical repair.
- Treatment involved heart repositioning, pericardial closure, and tricuspid valve repair.
- Successful outcomes were achieved despite delayed treatment.
Implications:
- Prompt surgical intervention is crucial for managing heart luxation and traumatic valve injury.
- Tricuspid valve repair is feasible and effective in these trauma cases.
- Improved preoperative diagnostic strategies for heart dislocation are needed.
Abstract:
Three patients are described with the combination of a luxation of the heart through a pericardial tear and traumatic rupture of the papillary muscle of the tricuspid valve. In only 1 patient was the dislocation of the heart suspected preoperatively. In all 3 patients operative treatment was performed with considerable delay after the accident; nevertheless, all 3 patients survived. In all cases treatment consisted of repositioning of the heart, closure of the pericardium, and valvular repair of the tricuspid valve.