Ruptured right atrial secondary to blunt chest trauma.

 

Mohd Khairul Azmi ABDUL KADIR 1, Wilson Chong Cher CHEONG 2, Kim Hong LIM 3, Kian Soon LIM 4, Chee Fui CHONG 1.

1 Department of Surgery, 2 Department of Accident and Emergency, 3 Department of Anaesthiology, 4 Department of Radiology, RIPAS Hospital, Brunei Darussalam.

 

 ABSTRACT

 

Rupture of one or more cardiac chambers following domestic blunt chest trauma is rare. A positive outcome depends on high level of suspicion and early surgical intervention. We report here an interesting case of a ruptured right atrial appendage in a four year old boy following a blunt crushing injury to the chest and abdomen by a heavy porcelain sink which was successfully repaired. Therefore, accurate diagnosis is very important for appropriate management.

 

Keywords: Blunt chest injury, cardiopulmonary bypass, cardiac chambers rupture, cardiac tamponade, median sternotomy, right atrial rupture, thoracic trauma

 

Brunei Int Med J. 2010; 6 (2):105-108

 

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