Right atrial rupture after road traffic accident

Abstract

Accidents and post-traumatic injuries are one of the most important health and social problems. Non-penetrating chest trauma with injury to the heart has become increasingly common particularly as a result of acceleration/deceleration injuries in modern, high speed, vehicular accidents. Most of them require immediate medico-surgical intervention. The classic clinical presentation is not universal and a subset of patients may present asymptomatically. In blunt chest trauma, cardiac chamber rupture is uncommon although associated with high mortality rate.[1] Blunt traumatic atrial rupture has better prognosis than ventricular tear.[2] Rapid transportation to medical care, accurate timely diagnosis and emergent operative intervention are essential for successful outcome