Blunt cardiac rupture in the setting of previous sternotomy.

Abstract

Most cases of blunt cardiac rupture (BCR) are associated with mortality at the scene of the injury. For the fortunate 13% to 17% of patients who survive the journey to the hospital, the treatment is definitive surgical repair. In the setting of previous sternotomy, the pericardial adhesions may limit the damage and protect against cardiac tamponade. We describe a patient who sustained 2 right ventricular tears from blunt trauma in a motor vehicle accident 18 years after coronary artery bypass graft surgery. He did not demonstrate hemodynamic compromise and was successfully managed conservatively.