Watkins B M, Buckley D C, Peschiera J L
Department of Surgery, Good Samaritan Hospital, Cincinnati, Ohio 45220, USA.
J Trauma. 1995 Mar;38(3):368-9. doi: 10.1097/00005373-199503000-00012.
To present an unusual case of delayed presentation of pericardial rupture with luxation of the heart 6 months after the initial injury.
Diagnosis, outcome, associated injuries, and treatment are discussed.
A high index of suspicion is required to make the diagnosis; no single diagnostic test can be used as a screening tool.
Once recognized, treatment of pericardial rupture is relatively simple.