Rupture of the tricuspid valve due to smashing the chest into the steering wheel

Ann Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2013;19(3):222-4. doi: 10.5761/atcs.cr.11.01857. Epub 2012 Nov 15.

Abstract

A 32-year-old man was urgently referred to our hospital with severe tricuspid insufficiency following a car accident. The completely flail anterior leaflet, due to the rupture of the papillary muscles, was revealed by a two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography. In the operation, we also detected a tear on the anterior leaflet and the rupture of numerous chordae tendineae of the other leaflets. Valve repair was not considered feasible, therefore the tricuspid valve was replaced with a 31 mm mechanical prosthesis. The patient's recovery from surgery was uneventful, and he was discharged on the seventh postoperative day.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Accidents, Traffic*
  • Adult
  • Heart Injuries / diagnostic imaging
  • Heart Injuries / etiology*
  • Heart Injuries / surgery
  • Heart Valve Prosthesis
  • Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation / instrumentation
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Prosthesis Design
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Tricuspid Valve / injuries
  • Tricuspid Valve Insufficiency / diagnostic imaging
  • Tricuspid Valve Insufficiency / etiology*
  • Tricuspid Valve Insufficiency / surgery
  • Ultrasonography
  • Wounds, Nonpenetrating / diagnostic imaging
  • Wounds, Nonpenetrating / etiology*
  • Wounds, Nonpenetrating / surgery