JACC Case Rep. 2026 Feb 21:107037. doi: 10.1016/j.jaccas.2026.107037. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Valvular injuries after blunt chest trauma are rare and are frequently missed during initial trauma assessment.
CASE SUMMARY: A 67-year-old man with no prior cardiac disease fell from a height of 10 to 12 m and was initially treated for multiple traumatic injuries at a local hospital. After clinical deterioration, he was transferred to our hospital, where echocardiography revealed severe aortic and mitral regurgitation. Emergency surgery was performed, including aortic valve replacement and mitral valve repair; however, the patient developed refractory postoperative heart failure and died.
DISCUSSION: Traumatic valvular injuries may result from abrupt intracardiac pressure changes during vulnerable phases of the cardiac cycle. Delayed recognition can lead to rapid hemodynamic collapse and multiorgan failure.
TAKE-HOME MESSAGE: Early echocardiographic evaluation should be considered in patients with severe blunt chest trauma to avoid missed traumatic valvular injuries.
PMID:41721818 | DOI:10.1016/j.jaccas.2026.107037