Aorto-right Ventricular Shunt and Associated Aortic Valve Injury Resulting from a Penetrating Wound of the Heart

Summary

A case of a traumatic aorto-right ventricular fistula associated with an aortic valve injury and subsequent successful treatment is reported. A possible delay in diagnosis necessitates foUow-up of patients after penetrating thoracic wounds. Early surgical treatment is mandatory because of the risks of both heart failure and endocarditis and because of the low operative morbidity. An aortic approach appears to be preferable because it permits repair of both the fistula and the valvular injury. Reconstruction of valvular injuries is preferable since long-term competence without prosthetic replacement can be achieved.

Key words

Wound of the heart - Traumatic L.R. shunt - Traumatic aortic insufficiency