Mortality following blunt
chest injury and
cardiac rupture remains high despite advances in the care of traumatic
injuries. Indeed, most patients succumb to these
injuries even prior to reaching a hospital. However, timely recognition and surgical intervention can save lives. We present the case of a 40-year-old woman who presented to our emergency department in
cardiac arrest due to
rupture of her left atrium following a major motor vehicle collision. The patient underwent emergency department
thoracotomy with successful repair of the
cardiac rupture. Emergency department
thoracotomy, when indicated and performed by trained surgeons, can be the only life-saving procedure available. Rapid
median sternotomy using a cost-effective fret sternum saw does not require significantly more time than a left lateral
thoracotomy or clamshell incision in an emergency situation. It can be an effective and alternative method of thoracic entry in the emergency department. Prognosis of
cardiac rupture depends largely on the mechanism of injury, location of injury, signs of life: vital signs, and availability of timely intervention. When indicated, hesitation should be avoided. Expedient cardiac exposure is essential and leads to better results with improved survival rates in patients with blunt
cardiac rupture.