A large ventricular septal defect complicating resuscitation after blunt trauma

Late surgical repair of a traumatic ventricular septal defect

Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD) complicates approximately 1-5% of patients presenting with penetrating chest trauma, however not all VSDs are evident at the time of initial presentation to the emergency department. Acute closure of traumatic VSDs is indicated in patients with a large defect and haemodynamic compromise, however closure may be delayed in smaller defects in order to minimise operative time, reduce operative mortality and allow for recovery from the initial trauma. We describe the case of a previously healthy 23 year-old Caucasian man who presented in extremis following stab wounds to the precordium. After emergency cardiopulmonary bypass and closure of lacerations to both the left and right ventricles, postoperative trans-thoracic echocardiography (TTE) noted a restrictive intramuscular VSD with a high velocity left to right shunt, initially managed conservatively. Elective surgical closure was performed 10 months after the initial injury through a right ventriculotomy using 4–0 Proline sutures reinforced with Teflon pledgets. Despite excellent clinical recovery, 3-month follow-up TTE noted a residual VSD in the mid apical septum. However, given the presence of minimal left to right shunt and the small size of the defect, the patient was managed conservatively with annual review and repeat transthoracic echo. This case highlights the potential pitfalls in both the diagnosis and management of traumatic VSDs particularly where the patient presents in extremis with other life-threatening injuries. Furthermore, it exemplifies the importance of a multidisciplinary approach when planning any elective intervention. Regardless of the management strategy, repeated re-assessment and re-evaluation is vital following penetrating cardiac trauma, and vigilant long-term follow-up is of paramount importance in these cases.

VSD following blunt cardiac trauma: MRI findings

In this report, we describe the clinical and radiographic findings of ventricular septal defects (VSDs) following blunt cardiac trauma in two patients. VSDs following either penetrating or blunt cardiac trauma are a rare occurrence. The variable presentation and timing of symptom onset along with the common association of other injuries can make the diagnosis of a posttraumatic VSD difficult. Therefore, investigation should be initiated when elements from the history and physical examination (e.g., new onset murmur), laboratory tests (e.g., cardiac enzymes), EKG, and CT or echocardiography warrant it. The first patient was a 19-year-old male who was hemodynamically stable on initial presentation to this trauma center after a motor vehicle collision. A posttraumatic VSD was found by echocardiography on the day of admission and further defined on cardiac MRI (CMRI). The second patient was a 31-year-oid male who presented after a high-speed motorcycle accident and was found to have a VSD 40 days later on CMRI after a fluctuating clinical course and multiple normal echocardiograms. Both patients had good outcomes with subsequent surgical closure.