Matthew S Khouzam, Kristina Jacobsen, Joseph H Boyer, Ahmad Zeeshan, David Spurlock, Tomer Z Karas, Jorge E Suarez-Cavelier, Daniel Rinewalt, Linda Bogar, Scott Silvestry, George J Palmer, Kevin D Accola, Nayer Khouzam
BACKGROUND: Hemopericardium is a serious complication that can occur after cardiac surgery. While most post-operative causes are due to inflammation and bleeding, patients with broken sternal wires and an unstable sternum may develop hemopericardium from penetrating trauma. CASE PRESENTATION: We present the case of a 62-year-old male who underwent triple coronary bypass surgery and presented five months later with sudden anterior chest wall pain. Chest computed tomography revealed hemopericardium with an associated broken sternal wire that had penetrated into the pericardial space...
December 9, 2023: Journal of Cardiothoracic Surgery