Blunt Traumatic Rupture of the Left Atrial Appendage

Abstract

Background: The diagnostic evaluation and surgical management of blunt cardiac rupture is one of the challenges of trauma surgery. Case Study: We report the case of an 18-year-old male with blunt traumatic left atrial appendage rupture who was brought to the hospital after a fall from the sixth floor of a building. On arrival at the emergency department, he developed signs of cardiac congestion. Ultrasonography of the heart through the subxiphoid window, as part of the focused assessment for the sonographic examination of the trauma patient (FAST), revealed cardiac tamponade. The injury was successfully repaired after median sternotomy. Discussion: Clinical symptoms, diagnostic considerations, and treatment modalities are commented on. The focus is on the role of FAST as a diagnostic tool in this case.