Blunt traumatic pericardial rupture

Abstract

A 28-year old man presented with left chest, head and limb injuries following a road traffic accident (RTA). Increasing haemodynamic instability neccesitated an emergency left thoracotomy at which a complete rupture of the pericardium and herniation of the heart was found. After repair, the patient made an uneventful post-operative recovery. The aetiology, investigation and management of this rare injury is discussed.