Citation

Rodríguez-González F, Martínez-Quintana E. J. Emerg. Trauma Shock 2010; 3(4): 398-400.

Affiliation

Intensive Medicine Service, Cardiology Service, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario Insular-Materno Infantil, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2010, INDO-US Emergency and Trauma Collaborative, Publisher Medknow Publications)

DOI

10.4103/0974-2700.70772

PMID

21063565

PMCID

PMC2966575

Abstract

Cardiac contusion, usually caused by blunt chest trauma, has been recognized with increased frequency over the past decades. Traffic accidents are the most frequent cause of cardiac contusions resulting from a direct blow to the chest. Other causes of blunt cardiac injury are numerous and include violent fall impacts, interpersonal aggression, explosions, and various types of high-risk sports. Myocardial contusion is difficult to diagnose; clinical presentation varies greatly, ranging from lack of symptoms to cardiogenic shock and arrhythmia. Although death is rare, cardiac contusion can be fatal. We present a case of cardiac contusion due to blunt chest trauma secondary to a fall impact, which manifested as cardiogenic shock.

Language: en