Unsuspected location of a ventricular septal defect after blunt chest trauma.

A 40-year-old woman, without previous cardiac symptoms, was referred to our hospital from a local hospital with a subpulmonary ventricular septal defect following blunt chest trauma. The patient was in cardiogenic shock and emergency repair was mandatory. Ventricular septal defect is uncommon after blunt chest trauma. It may develop either immediately or be delayed. Echocardiography is very important for rapid detection. Early repair is necessary and constitutes a lifesaving procedure when hemodynamic instability is present.