The New Zealand medical journal
-
The Green Lane Hospital experience of patients presenting with cardiac damage as a result of chest trauma has been reviewed following the recent referral of a patient with tricuspid regurgitation due to trauma. A retrospective search of surgical records was made over the preceding 28 years which yielded a further nine patients. Our group has experienced a number of unusual causes of non-fatal cardiac trauma that have followed accidents. ⋯ In some, diagnosis had been delayed for years. Echocardiography is a very useful diagnostic tool. Surgery was undertaken in all cases.