Cardiac herniation six years after thoracoscopic thymectomy: a case report

Abstract Background Cardiac herniation is a rare but potentially fatal complication that may occur after surgery involving pericardial incision or resection. Most cases develop intraoperatively or in the early postoperative period, and delayed-onset cases after minimally invasive thoracic surgery have not been reported. Case presentation A 48-year-old woman developed left shoulder pain and nausea six years after thoracoscopic thymectomy for myasthenia gravis. Electrocardiography indicated ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. Computed tomography of the chest showed cardiac herniation into the left thoracic cavity and coronary angiography revealed stenosis corresponding to the hernial defect. The patient was diagnosed with coronary artery compression due to cardiac herniation and underwent hernia reduction and coronary artery bypass grafting. The postoperative course was uneventful. Conclusions Cardiac herniation may occur even long after minimally invasive thoracic surgery and should be considered in patients presenting with chest symptoms or hemodynamic instability.