Dual chamber cardiac rupture following blunt thoracic trauma

Introduction: Cardiac rupture following blunt thoracic trauma is rare. When diagnosed, these injuries have a mortality rate approaching 90%. Although there are reports of dual chamber cardiac rupture, there are no documented survivors from this injury. Case Report: A fifty-year-old man presents after high speed motor vehicle crash. On arrival, he was hypotensive with massive right hemothorax. He progressed to asystole but pulse was regained and he went to the operating room. Upon right thoracotomy we encountered a right pericardial laceration and his incision was converted to bilateral thoracotomy (clamshell). He was found to have both right and left atrial rupture. Both injuries were rapidly repaired. The patient survived to discharge neurologically intact. Discussion: Cardiac chamber rupture is rare and often fatal. Survival can occur with dual chamber rupture if swift action is taken and all members of the team work together.