Combined blunt traumatic rupture of the heart and aorta: two case reports and review of the literature.

Blunt chest trauma resulting in combined aortic disruption and cardiac rupture, although a common autopsy finding, was found reported only once previously in a surviving patient. We report two cases repaired through a left posterolateral thoracotomy in which the cardiac injury was unsuspected and presented as an intraoperative finding of hemopericardium. With improved emergency resuscitation in the field and faster transport of these cases to tertiary care centers, this combination of lesions may be seen more frequently. Suggestions for their diagnosis and management are presented.