RIGHT ATRIAL RUPTURES ASSOCIATED WITH CARDIOPULMONARY RESUSCITATION. CASE REPORT AND REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation-CPR-(i.e., external cardiac compressions and ventilation) is a traumatic procedure that consists of chest compression and artificial ventilation performed during a cardiac arrest while maintaining circulatory flow and oxygenation to vital organs. CPR is often complicated by injuries to structures of the neck, thorax, or abdomen. However, rare cases of serious or potentially life-threatening injuries to the visceral organs, such as the heart, may occur. In this report, the authors described an unusual case of right atrial rupture induced by a closed-chest compression during CPR in a woman who had a cardiac arrest with no known pre-existing cardiac disease. The autopsy revealed fractures to the thoracic bones (sternum and ribs) in absence of any signs of severe trauma. At the necroscopic examination a tear of the right atrium wall with no lacerations of the pericardial sac was detected.