Traumatic herniation of the heart into the right hemithorax

Pericardial rupture after blunt chest trauma is described in the literature. This case report summarises our experience with a 22-year old male patient who suffered blunt chest trauma during a motor vehicle accident. On admission no serious injuries could be detected, but 3 hours later, displacement of the heart to the right hemithorax combined with sudden cardiac failure appeared. Emergency thoracotomy revealed a right-sided rupture of the pericardium with complete herniation of the heart into the right pleural cavity and consequent strangulation by the margins of the pericardial defect.