Cardiac Tamponade and Laceration of Right Ventricle in Blunt Thoracic Injury: A Case Report

Abstract

Cardiac tamponade caused by blunt thoracic injuries is a rare case with a high mortality rate. Usually patients not survived pre hospital. We present the case of a 50-yearold man admitted to our emergency department after a motorcycle accident, and he had cart handle injury to the chest. He presented with unstable hemodynamic with bruise on the precordial area, and fell into cardiac arrest. Standard CPR carried out continued with intubation and ROSC. FAST showed fluid in the pericardial sac. On pericardiocentesis, 40 mL blood aspirated. A median sternotomy performed, a lacerations found in the right ventricle and right ventricle pulmonary junction. Prompt diagnosis and definitive surgery save lives in traumatic acute cardiac tamponade caused by blunt chest trauma. FAST may be beneficial in diagnosing cardiac tamponade, and pericardiocentesis can be a temporary measure. A median sternotomy was a safe surgical approach in controlling the cardiac injury. The patient discharged on the fifth postoperative day.