Rupture of the right upper pulmonary vein and left atrium caused by blunt chest trauma

Gen Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2017 Nov;65(11):646-649. doi: 10.1007/s11748-017-0749-1. Epub 2017 Feb 1.

Abstract

A 49-year-old man was transferred to our hospital by ambulance due to blunt chest trauma sustained in a car accident. Echocardiography and enhanced computed tomography showed hemopericardium without other vital organ damage. Emergent surgery was performed under strong suspicion of traumatic cardiac rupture. Careful inspection showed a rupture of the right upper pulmonary vein at the junction of the left atrium, a laceration of the inferior vena cava, and a left-side pericardium rupture, and they were repaired with running 4-0 polypropylene suture. Postoperative hemodynamics were stable. The patient was discharged ambulatory on postoperative day 15.

Keywords: Blunt chest trauma; Cardiac rupture; Pulmonary vein; Rupture.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Cardiac Surgical Procedures / methods
  • Echocardiography
  • Heart Atria / injuries*
  • Heart Injuries / diagnosis
  • Heart Injuries / etiology
  • Heart Injuries / physiopathology
  • Hemodynamics
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pulmonary Veins / injuries*
  • Rupture
  • Thoracic Injuries / complications*
  • Thoracic Injuries / diagnosis
  • Thoracic Injuries / physiopathology
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Vascular System Injuries / diagnosis
  • Vascular System Injuries / etiology*
  • Vascular System Injuries / surgery
  • Wounds, Nonpenetrating / complications*
  • Wounds, Nonpenetrating / physiopathology
  • Wounds, Nonpenetrating / surgery