Right atrium traumatic rupture presenting as chronic tamponade
Eduard Permanyer 1*,
Antonino Ginel 1,
Christian Munoz-Guijosa 1,
Josep Maria Padro 1
1 Hospital de la Santa Creu i de Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain
* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: eduardpermanyer{at}gmail.com.
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Abstract |
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Non-penetrating cardiac traumatisms can cause cardiac rupture, myocardial contusion or, rarely, commotio cordis. In cases of rupture of a cardiac cavity, acute and severe cardiac tamponade almost invariably occurs. This paper presents an exceptionally unusual case of non-penetrating cardiac trauma resulting in right atrium rupture contained by the pericardial cavity. A situation of exceptional hemodynamic balance was established with subacute, progressive cardiac tamponade that evolved during three months, presenting gradual right-heart failure instead of the expected acute and severe cardiac tamponade. The rupture of the atrium was successfully repaired. Keywords: Atrium; Pericardium; Cardiac rupture; Trauma
