Subacute tricuspid valve rupture after traumatic cardiac and pulmonary contusions

Abstract

Tricuspid valve rupture is a rare complication after blunt chest trauma. We report the unusual presentation of a patient that suffered traumatic cardiac and pulmonary contusions, contributing to the rupture of the posterior papillary muscle of the tricuspid valve 24 hours after presentation. We believe that this is the first reported case of subacute tricuspid valve rupture after a normal echocardiogram at admission after blunt chest trauma.