Survival after simultaneous repair of bichamber cardiac and pulmonary vein rupture caused by blunt chest trauma.

Abstract

A 44-year-old woman was transferred to our institution because of blunt chest trauma. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed decompression of the right ventricle resulting from pericardial effusion. Her hemodynamic condition was worsening gradually, and the decision was made to take the patient to the operating room. After releasing a large amount of clotting blood within the pericardial cavity, catastrophic hemorrhage occurred. Under better visualization after the patient was placed on cardiopulmonary bypass, we identified a 5-cm longitudinal tear and a 2-cm tear in the right atrium (RA), a 2-mm tear in the right ventricle (RV), and a 5-mm tear in the right lower pulmonary vein (PV). Those tears were repaired successfully with 5-0 polypropylene sutures.

• Authors: Naoto Fukunaga, Yasunobu Konishi, Takashi Murashita, Mitsuru Yuzaki, Yu Shomura, Tadaaki Koyama, Hiroshi Fujiwara, Yukikatsu Okada
• Journal: The Annals of thoracic surgery (Ann Thorac Surg) Vol. 94 Issue 1 Pg. 265-7 (Jul 2012) ISSN: 1552-6259 [Electronic] Netherlands
• PMID: 22734990 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2012 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Topics

• Adult
• Female
• Heart Atria (injuries)
• Heart Injuries (mortality, surgery)
• Heart Ventricles (injuries)
• Humans
• Pulmonary Veins (injuries, surgery)
• Rupture
• Thoracic Injuries (complications)
• Wounds, Nonpenetrating (complications)