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DOI: 10.1055/s-2003-37272
Unusual Complication of Sternotomy: Bone Fragment induced Right Ventricular Rupture after Mitral Valve Replacement Surgery
Publikationsverlauf
Received: March 24, 2002
Publikationsdatum:
14. Februar 2003 (online)
Abstract
Major surgical complications following open cardiac procedures via median sternotomy are infrequent but potentially devastating events. We report on a unique, fatal complication of median sternotomy. A 44-year-old woman underwent mitral valve replacement for endocarditis related to intravenous drug abuse. Twenty days after the surgery, she presented to the emergency department in acute distress, and died of cardiac tamponade soon after admission. Postmortem examination revealed a defect in the right ventricular wall caused by a bone fragment resulting from the median sternotomy.
Key words
Right ventricle rupture - carboMedics mitral valve - mitral valve replacement - complications - intravenous drug abuse
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Correspondence
M.D. Joseph Pestaner
Office of The Chief Medical Examiner
111 Penn Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
USA
eMail: Joepestaner@aol.com