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[Ventricular septal rupture after blunt chest trauma]
F X Roithinger1, C Punzengruber, O Pachinger
1II Interne Abteilung/Kardiologie, Allgemeines öffentliches Krankenhaus der Barmherzigen Schwestern vom Heiligen Kreuz, Wels.
Deutsche Medizinische Wochenschrift (1946)
|November 15, 1996
Summary
Posttraumatic ventricular septal rupture is rare but can occur after blunt chest trauma. Large shunts may necessitate surgical repair, while small ones often resolve without intervention.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Trauma Surgery
- Medical Diagnostics
Background:
- Blunt chest trauma can lead to severe internal injuries.
- Diagnosing cardiac complications after trauma is critical for patient outcomes.
Observation:
- Two young men sustained multiple injuries from car accidents with no visible chest trauma.
- Both presented with new systolic heart murmurs, with one developing heart failure.
Findings:
- Echocardiography confirmed posttraumatic ventricular septal rupture in both cases.
- Cardiac catheterization revealed varying shunt sizes and pulmonary artery pressures.
- One patient required surgical closure of a large ventricular septal defect with pulmonary hypertension.
Implications:
- Ventricular septal rupture following blunt trauma is uncommon.
- Early surgical intervention is crucial for large shunts with significant hemodynamic compromise.
- Prompt diagnosis and management can improve prognosis in these rare cases.