Journal of Trauma and Injury

The Korean Society of Traumatology (대한외상학회)
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Extra-Pericardial Tamponade due to Internal Thoracic Artery Rupture after Blunt Trauma: A Case Report

  • Noh, Donsub (Trauma Center, Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Dankook University Hospital) ;
  • Chang, Sung Wook (Trauma Center, Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Dankook University Hospital) ;
  • Ma, Dae Sung (Trauma Center, Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Dankook University Hospital)
  • Received : 2021.06.21
  • Accepted : 2021.08.20
  • Published : 2021.09.30
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Abstract

Cardiac tamponade is an acute life-threatening condition that predominantly involves the intra-pericardial space; however, an expanding mediastinal hematoma can also sometimes cause cardiac tamponade. Here we describe the case of a 45-year-old male driver in whom a traffic accident resulted in rupture of the left internal thoracic artery (ITA), extra-pericardial hematoma, and sternal fracture. After resuscitation, he was scheduled to undergo angio-embolization to repair the ruptured left ITA, but he suddenly developed cardiac tamponade that required a decompressive sternotomy. Nevertheless, the patient had an uncomplicated recovery, and this case suggests that extra-pericardial cardiac tamponade should be considered as a possible consequence of retro-sternal hematoma due to traumatic ITA rupture.

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References

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