A Knife Penetrating the Right Ventricle, Interventricular Septum, and 2 Valves: A Case Report

Abstract

Penetrating chest trauma may result in significant intracardiac injury. A traumatic ventricular septal defect is a rare complication that requires surgical management, particularly if heart failure ensues. We report a case of delayed repair of an outlet-type ventricular septal defect and perforation of the aortic and pulmonary valve leaflets following a stab wound. This report highlights diagnostic and surgical considerations and also presents an opportunity to review the conotruncal anatomy, which may be relatively unfamiliar to many adult cardiac surgeons.

Keywords

• thoracic injuries
• penetrating wounds
• ventricular heart septal defects
• thoracic surgery
• case report