Interventricular Septal Defect Secondary to Nonpenetrating Injury

Introduction Interventricular septal defects resulting from nonpenetrating trauma are rarely diagnosed antemortem. In 1952, Pollock et al.7reviewed the literature and found 12 cases to which they added 1 autopsied case of isolated rupture of the healthy interventricular septum. Recently, Cary and Hurst2reported one additional case diagnosed at autopsy. The first recorded case established by cardiac catheterization was reported by Guilfoil3in 1953. We have not found any other catheter-proven cases resulting from nonpenetrating injury. Two surviving cases are presented. Report of Cases CASE 1. —A 13-year-old boy was injured by a truck wheel passing over his thorax on Aug. 16, 1954. When he was hospitalized, a loud systolic murmur was audible over the entire precordium. Chest x-ray demonstrated pulmonary contusion, with normal cardiac size and configuration (Fig. 1A). Prior to this accident, the child was active and in good health. Apparent recovery occurred in two