Right Atrial Rupture on CT Angiography in a Patient Receiving Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation: A Case Report

Abstract

Cardiac rupture is a rare but fatal complication among patients undergoing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Myocardial rupture can manifest as a discontinuity in the myocardial wall, communication between the ventricle or atrium and the pericardium, hemopericardium, or active extravasation of contrast into the pericardium. It can also occur alongside pericardial rupture or hemothorax. Diagnosing myocardial rupture via imaging is uncommon due to its clinical urgency and high mortality rate. We present a rare case of a 50-yearold man who developed a right atrial rupture, as seen on CT angiography, following CPR and venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) for sudden cardiac arrest.

Keywords

• right atrial rupture
• pericardial injury
• post-cardiopulmonary resuscitation
• ct angiography
• venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation