Citation

Rouleau SG, Manoukian MAC, Wong GX, Barnes DK. Clin. Pract. Cases Emerg. Med. 2023; 7(2): 97-100.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2023, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California, Irvine)

DOI

10.5811/cpcem.1410

PMID

37285493

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Tension pneumomediastinum and coronary artery thrombosis (CAT) secondary to blunt polytrauma are, rare yet have the potential for serious complication. CASE REPORT: A 40-year-old man presented to the emergency department following a motorcycle accident. He was found to have multiple orthopedic injuries, pneumothorax, and pneumomediastinum. An electrocardiogram showed myocardial infarction. He developed obstructive shock physiology that resolved with mediastinal percutaneous needle drainage. Subsequent coronary angiography revealed acute thrombosis of the left circumflex artery.

CONCLUSION: This is a rare case of traumatic tension pneumomediastinum associated with coronary artery thrombosis requiring coronary stenting. Emergency physicians should be mindful of CAT in the setting of blunt chest injury.

Language: en