Kaohsiung J Med Sci
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Kaohsiung J Med Sci · Jul 2002
Case ReportsTraumatic cardiac injury following sternal fracture: a case report and literature review.
Myocardial injury used to be thought as one of the major complications associated with sternal fracture even though recent studies on injuries associated with fracture of sternum are contrary to this belief. Many authors now believe the presence of sternal fracture is no longer indicative of occult injuries to the underlying structure such as the heart. However, clinicians should still maintain a high index of suspicion for the presence cardiac tamponade in cases presented as blunt chest trauma as early diagnosis and surgical intervention is vital to the patient's survival. ⋯ A diagnosis of cardiac rupture resulting from sternal fracture following blunt chest trauma was made. Under midline sternotomy, her right atrial rupture was repaired. The patient was reported to be doing well during a three months, post-operative follow-up.