Blunt Cardiac Rupture in a Patient with Prior Ventricular Septal Defect Repair: A Case Report

摘要

Of all patients with blunt cardiac injury severe enough to result in rupture of a myocardial chamber, it is estimated from an autopsy study that less than 7% survive long enough to be brought to a hospital.1 Previous small series2"8 and a multitude of case reports regarding blunt cardiac rupture do not mention any patients with a previous history of a cardiac operation. Although several mechanisms have been theorized, little is known regarding what specific mechanical factors are associated with blunt cardiac rupture or which, if any, physical characteristics of a person might predispose them to this injury. Advances in technology and surgical technique in recent decades have allowed greater use of cardiotomy during surgical treatment of congenital and acquired heart disease. It is possible that a healed myocardial incision may respond to blunt mechanical forces differently than normal tissue. We present an unusual case in which blunt cardiac rupture occurred in a patient with a previous history of cardiotomy.