Isolated right atrial appendage (RAA) rupture in blunt trauma – a case report and an anatomic study comparing RAA and right atrium (RA) wall thickness

Table 1 Common diagnostic findings and therapeutic procedures reported in the literature (cases 1–8) and the present case report (case 9)

FINDINGS	THE CASES
Hemodynamics
CVP ≥ 20 H₂O	1, 3, 9
SBP ≤ 70 mmHg	2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9
Thorax
Bruised chest wall	2
Pneumothorax	4
Lung contusion	4
Sternal fracture	2, 6, 7
Cyanosis	1, 6
Muffled heart sounds	1, 2, 3, 4, 9
Enlarged heart silluette	4, 5, 6
Widened mediastinum	4, 5,,6, 9
Cardiac tamponade	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9
Pericardial tear associated to RAA injury	3
Hemothorax	3
Rib fracture	7, 8
Neck
Neck vein distension	2, 5, 6
Abdomen
Liver injury	1, 2, 4, 8, 9
Spleen injury	4, 8, 9
Extremity
Lower limb fractures	1, 4, 7, 8, 9
SURGICAL PROCEDURES
Pericardiocentesis	1, 3, 8
Laparotomy	1. 4. 5.7, 8, 9
Sub-xiphoidal pericardial window	4, 5, 7, 9
Opening of the diaphragm at laparotomy	3
Access to RAA:
Bilateral thoracotomy	9
Medial sternotomy	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
RAA injury repair:
Ligature	2
Suture	1, 3, 4, 5, 6,7, 8, 9

Main diagnostic and surgical findings and/or procedures performed in the 9 cases of isolated blunt traumatic rupture of the right atrium appendage (RAA) here discussed CVP: central venous pressue. SBP: systolic blood pressure. RAA: right atrium appendage. Figures in the right column of the Table represent the cases number: 1 (Trueblood et al [5]), 2 (Galton et al [6]), 3 (Leavitt et al [7]), 4 and 5 (Kupferschmidt et al [8]), 6 (Degiannis E et al [9]), 7 (Dagenais F et al [10]), 8 (Ilkjoer LB et al [11]).

ISSN: 1749-7922