Aortic valve rupture after blunt chest trauma presenting at a District General Hospital

Abstract

Traumatic aortic regurgitation is a rare complication of blunt chest wall injury. Cardiovascular decompensation can occur rapidly as the heart struggles to maintain cardiac output. As the condition is often not apparent at the time of injury, these patients may be brought by ambulance to trauma units without cardiothoracic facilities under the care of general and orthopaedic surgeons. Here, we report a case of traumatic aortic regurgitation secondary to a high-speed motor vehicle accident and the management in a district general trauma unit leading to transfer to a cardiothoracic centre. The diagnosis of traumatic aortic regurgitation should be considered in patients who experience blunt chest wall injuries and demonstrate signs of cardiac decompensation.