Pericardial Rupture with Cardiac Herniation Following Blunt Thoracic Trauma

Abstract We report an interesting and rare case of right-sided cardiac herniation from a pleuropericardial rupture following a high-speed motor vehicle collision. After intubation and aggressive volume resuscitation, the patient was taken to the OR for bilateral anterolateral (clamshell) thoracotomy, reduction of his heart, and pericardial patch repair.