Penetrating trauma to the tricuspid valve and ventricular septum: Delayed repair

Penetrating cardiac trauma can result in a wide range of injuries to intrac ardiac structures. Missile injury, in particular, can cause damage in more than one cardiac chamber that may be difficult to identify at initial emerg ent operation. We report a case of late repair of traumatic ventricular sep tal defect and tricuspid valve perforation from gunshot wound. This case il lustrates the importance of thorough examination of intracardiac anatomy du ring emergent and delayed repair for penetrating cardiac trauma. (Ann Thora c Surg 1999;67:252-3) (C) 1999 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons.