Citation

Wall MJ, Mattox KL, Wolf DA. J. Trauma 2005; 59(1): 136-41; discussion 141-2.

Affiliation

Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA. mwall@bcm.tmc.edu

Copyright

(Copyright © 2005, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

16096553

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Blunt injury of the pericardium with strangulation of the heart is a rare clinical injury. METHODS: We conducted a review of clinical records and performed prospective collection of forensic data from a large urban medical examiner's office. RESULTS: Ten cases of blunt injury to the pericardium were identified. All were secondary to blunt trauma. Nine of the 10 cases had associated chest wall injuries and 5 of the 10 cases had cardiac strangulation. CONCLUSION: Pericardial lacerations are common findings at autopsy. Clinically, those that survive to the hospital have a confusing presentation. They are often diagnosed during emergent thoracotomy for hemodynamic instability. Hemodynamic deterioration associated with change in patient position may be a clue to cardiac strangulation.

Language: en