Citation

Liu B, Wang Z, Weng G, Li X, Xu H. J. Traffic Med. 1999; 27(1-2): 57-62.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1999, International Association for Accident and Traffic Medicine)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Objective: to find some evidence on the heart itself to further understand the mechanisms of heart impact injuries. Methods: Eleven dogs and thirty four rabbits were subjected to front thoracic impact with different impact velocities and compression response. The pressure changes in left ventricle during impact period, ECG and pathological changes were observed respectively. Results: The injured heart usually showed spotty or striped hemorrhages in the ventricle endocardium close to papillary muscle and valves. Extensive bleeding and contusions on the anterior ventricle wall appeared in the severely injured heart. An high pressure impulse was recorded in left ventricle during the impact period. Heart rupture was found in the severely injured animals. Light microscopic examination showed interstitial bleeding and rupture of the myocardial fibers in the contusion area. The injury severity of heart was well correlated with the viscous criterion. Conclusion: the main reason of heart injuries is the local excessive and high speed deformation caused by the thoracic wall or lung impact together with the instantaneously pressure elevation in ventricle.