J Korean Soc Traumatol.  2014 Dec;27(4):192-195. 10.0000/jti.2014.27.4.192.

Penetrating Injury to the Left Ventricle from a Fractured Rib Following Blunt Chest Trauma

• Oh TH
• Lee SC
• Lee DH
• Cho JY

• KMID: 2297771
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.0000/jti.2014.27.4.192

Abstract

The perforation of a cardiac chamber by a fractured rib after blunt trauma is a rare event. Here, we report the case of patient who was referred for multiple rib fractures after a fall from a height. The patient was found to have a penetrating cardiac injury which was detected on a computed tomography chest scan. Computed tomography is a useful screening tool for victims of blunt chest trauma. Once cardiac perforation has been confirmed or is highly suspected, it is important to preserve the patient's vital signs until reaching the operating room by minimally manuplating the chest wall and permitting hypotension, which also prevents exsanguinating hemorrhage. For the same reasons, early cardiac tamponade may also improve the patient's survival.

Keyword

Trauma; Heart injury; Rib fracture

MeSH Terms

Cardiac Tamponade
Exsanguination
Heart Injuries
Heart Ventricles*
Humans
Hypotension
Mass Screening
Operating Rooms
Rib Fractures
Ribs*
Thoracic Wall
Thorax*
Vital Signs