Cardiac tamponade and complete aortic rupture following blunt trauma chest: A case report and review of literature

Cardiac tamponade may be due to a traumatic or non-traumatic rupture of heart or root of great vessels. Traumatic rupture of the heart and aorta, due to its high fatality and narrow window period are rarely diagnosed. These are usually detected only during autopsy. An unusual case of cardiac tamponade and aortic rupture following blunt trauma chest sustained due to a collision between a motorcycle and a tractor. Autopsy showed cardiac rupture involving left auricle, left atrium, both ventricles along with interventricular septum. It also showed complete rupture of aorta. Shovelling effect, combination of water-hammer effect and shearing stress could be the possible mechanisms for the unique pattern of a cardiac and aortic rupture.