Concomitant traumatic coronary artery and tricuspid valve injury: a heterogeneous presentation

Abstract

Blunt thoracic trauma resulting in both tricuspid valve rupture and coronary artery injury is uncommon, encompasses a large spectrum of presentations and, therefore, can be difficult to diagnose. This report illustrates the heterogeneous presentation and clinical course of two patients with such a combination of cardiac injuries. The patient with associated right coronary artery dissection developed progressive right ventricular failure over a 12-year period before successful surgical repair, whereas another patient with left anterior descending coronary artery thrombosis required urgent operation for acute right ventricular dysfunction and hemodynamic decompensation.