A case of cardiac herniation after right pneumonectomy. (July 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Inoue, Manabu; Yotsukura, Masaya; Yoshida, Yukihiro; Nakagawa, Kazuo; Watanabe, Shun-ichi
• Is Part Of: Asian cardiovascular & thoracic annals. Volume 30:Number 6(2022)
• Page Start: 737
• Page End: 740
• Publication Date: 2022-07
• Subjects: Cardiac herniation -- pneumonectomy -- lung cancer; Heart -- Diseases -- Asia -- Periodicals; Heart -- Diseases -- Pacific Area -- Periodicals; Heart -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Heart -- Surgery -- Asia -- Periodicals; Heart -- Surgery -- Pacific Area -- Periodicals; Heart -- Surgery -- Periodicals; Chest -- Surgery -- Asia -- Periodicals; Chest -- Surgery -- Pacific Area -- Periodicals; Chest -- Surgery -- Periodicals; 617.412
• DOI: 10.1177/02184923221097841
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0218-4923

Abstract

A cardiac herniation is a rare but life-threatening complication after pneumonectomy. In most cases, it manifests suddenly as severe hypotension and cardiac arrest within 24 h of pneumonectomy. Here, we report a case of sudden-onset cardiac herniation after right pneumonectomy during which the pericardium was incised. The diagnosis was made immediately based on chest X-ray and electrocardiogram findings, and the heart was repositioned by repeat thoracotomy as an urgent life-saving measure. Surgeons should be aware of this potential surgical complication as well as its clinical manifestations, given that delayed diagnosis would directly lead to a fatal outcome.