Cardiac herniation producing tamponade: the critical role of early diagnosis

Rupture of the pleuropericardium (PP) occurs rarely, with most patients dying of associated injuries before arriving at the hospital. Among patients who initially survive, the diagnosis is often delayed until cardiogenic shock secondary to cardiac herniation is evident.

The records of 10 patients with PP lacerations and cardiac herniations were reviewed.

All but one patient had a normal chest x-ray (CXR) film on admission. After the patients became symptomatic, seven of nine had abnormal findings on CXR film demonstrating herniation of the heart into the left hemithorax. The other two patients underwent surgery without a repeat CXR film. Except for one who was taken directly to the operating room, all patients had been previously stabilized before developing cardiogenic shock, on average 9 hours after admission. Operative therapy was closure of the pericardium for five patients and completion pericardiotomy for the others. All survivors developed significant complications, and four of them died.

The diagnosis of PP rupture should be considered for patients with multiple trauma who develop sudden and unexpected cardiogenic shock after their initial condition has been stabilized. A repeat CXR film is diagnostic in most cases and should be used as the most efficient and expeditious route to making the diagnosis.