Right atrial laceration. Complication of external cardiac massage.

Right atrial laceration is described as a complication of external cardiac massage in two patients. In each there was a pre-existent cause of weakness of the atrial wall. There was pronounced right atrial dilation with attenuation of the wall in one case, and in the other there was a granulomatous myocarditis involving the atrial wall. The significance of atrial laceration as a complication of traumatic injuries to the heart is discussed.