Late onset of traumatic aortic regurgitation following a blunt chest trauma

Aortic valve regurgitation is a rare complication of blunt chest trauma, and when it ocurrs, it usually has a severe and acute onset. We report the case of a 52 year old healthy male who was involved in a high velocity motorcycle accident that caused cranial and thoracic injuries from which he recovered uneventfully after a two week admission in the ICU (Intensive Care Unit); cardiac lesions had been ruled out. Once weaning from mechanical ventilation was attempted the patient presented clear signs of acute heart failure and he was finally diagnosed with an aortic valve rupture that caused massive aortic valve regurgitation. After a surgical replacement of the aortic valve, the patient made a full recovery and was discharged two weeks later. Conclusion: Late presentation of traumatic aortic regurgitation should be considered in patients with a history of chest trauma even if valvular lesions were initially ruled out.