TITLE:
Penetrating Trauma Resulting in Ventricular Septal Defect
AUTHORS:
Daniel Juneau, Daniel Hermann, Gretchen L. Wells
KEYWORDS:
Ventricular Septal Defect, Penetrating Trauma, Echocardiography
JOURNAL NAME:
World Journal of Cardiovascular Surgery,
Vol.4 No.5,
May
14,
2014
ABSTRACT: Most ventricular septal defects (VSDs) are congenital. Acquired VSDs are generally due to myocardial infarction. An unusual case of VSD from penetrating trauma is described. In this case, the lack of a hemopericardium at presentation led the treatment team not to pursue cardiac pathology. Once the patient developed heart failure, the diagnosis of a VSD was made. Patients with penetrating chest wounds should undergo echocardiography, as such lesions may not be detected by physical examination or chest exploration.