Blunt cardiac injury with torn pericardium: a case report illustrating favorable outcome

ABSTRACT

Cardiac rupture which results from blunt trauma is uncommon and usually fatal. In the majority of cases, cardiac tamponade occurs when the pericardial hole does not allow egress of blood from the pericardial sac. This case of multiple trauma patient resulting from road traffic accident illustrates the complexities in the diagnosis and management of cardiac rupture when the pericardium becomes severely damaged and widely open. It also illustrates the favorable outcome associated with this rare type of injury