Pericardial Rupture and Chronic Subluxation of the Heart: A Case Report

Background: Pericardial rupture is a rare diagnosis, usually occurring secondary to high energy blunt force trauma, which can result in subluxation of the heart. Aim: To determine a suitable method for repair of a pericardial defect post traumatic pericardial rupture. Case: We present a 55-year-old male who was found to have a large pericardial defect intra-operatively while undergoing an elective Ross procedure. The defect was repaired with a Gore-Tex membrane. The patient underwent revision sternotomy and repair of the pericardium due to inadequate laxity of the repaired pericardium resulting in hemodynamic instability. Conclusion: Synthetic membranes, such as Gore-Tex membranes, can be used successfully for repair of large pericardial defects but care must be taken to prevent undue tension secondary to taut repair, resulting in hemodynamic compromise.