Delayed presentation of ventricular septal defect secondary to penetrating cardiac trauma following stab wound to the chest

Ventricular septal defect represents an uncommon sequel of penetrating cardiac trauma. a high index of suspicion, follow-up, and a complete evaluation of the patient who survives a penetrating heart injury is required. we report an unusualcase of posttraumatic ventricular septal defect in a patient who had a stab injury to the chest requiring emergencyoperation. after the first surgery, the patient presented with dyspnea and signs of heart failure. intraoperative assessmentrevealed ventricular septal defect