Delayed post-traumatic tamponade together with rupture of the tricuspid valve in a 15 year old boy

Abstract

With the increase in the number of high speed motor vehicle accidents, blunt, non-penetrating trauma to the heart has become an important health problem. An unusual case is reported of a 15 year old boy urgently referred with cardiac tamponade and a new systolic murmur four months after a car accident. The problems of the diagnosis and possible causes of late cardiac tamponade and tricuspid regurgitation following this type of accident are discussed.

Figure 1

Transthoracic echocardiography showing severe dilatation of the right ventricle resulting from flailed tricuspid valve caused by chordal rupture.

Figure 2

Intraoperative picture of the disorganised tricuspid valve. The top of the posterior papillary muscle is visible.