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A 66 years old male was admitted to our hospital after a serious car accident. The patient presented with severe shock after admission. After the examination, the patient was diagnosed with hemopneumothorax and myocardial contusion, accompanied by spleen rupture. After emergency surgery and a series of symptomatic treatments, the patient’s condition gradually stabilized. One week later, the patient suddenly presented with severe shock. Massive hemothorax was found on the left side of the chest. Surgical exploration revealed cardiac rupture and accidental absence of congenital pericardium. According to the literature review, congenital absence of pericardium (CAP) is relatively rare. Although there are certain imaging features, the clinical diagnosis is very difficult. However, this patient did not show the characteristics in the literature and had some other atypical features. The role of CAP in the occurrence and development of the patient’s heart injury and rupture is worthy of discussion. What we learned from this case is that we should look for potential risks in the telltale signs of a patient’s condition.

Purpose: Myocardial contusion can be a life-threatening condition in patients who sustained blunt thoracic trauma. The diagnostic approach remains a subject of debate. The aim of this study was to determine the sensitivity and specificity of echocardiography, electrocardiography, troponins T and I (TnT and TnI), and creatine kinase muscle/brain (CK-MB) for identifying patients with a myocardial contusion following blunt thoracic trauma. Methods: Sensitivity and specificity were first determined in a 10-year retrospective cohort study and second by a systematic literature review with meta-analysis. Results: Of the 117 patients in the retrospective study, 44 (38%) were considered positive for myocardial contusion. Chest X-ray, chest CT scan, electrocardiograph, and echocardiography had poor sensitivity (< 15%) but good specificity (≥ 90%). Sensitivity to cardiac biomarkers measured at presentation ranged from 59% for TnT to 77% for hs-TnT, specificity ranged from 63% for CK-MB to 100% for TnT. The systematic literature review yielded 28 studies, with 14.5% out of 7242 patients reported as positive for myocardial contusion. The pooled sensitivity of electrocardiography, troponin I, and CK-MB was between 62 and 71%, versus only 45% for echocardiography and 38% for troponin T. The pooled specificity ranged from 63% for CK-MB to 85% for troponin T and 88% for echocardiography. Conclusion: The best diagnostic approach for myocardial contusion is a combination of electrocardiography and measurement of cardiac biomarkers. If abnormalities are found, telemonitoring is necessary for the early detection of life-threatening arrhythmias. Chest X-ray and CT scan may show other thoracic injuries but provide no information on myocardial contusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose of review: The purpose of this article is to review the imaging findings of blunt and penetrating traumatic cardiac injury. Recent findings: Due to its speed of acquisition and ready availability, multidetector CT has become the gold standard for imaging of both blunt and penetrating cardiac trauma. Echocardiography is the first-line modality for evaluation of the valves. While magnetic resonance imaging provides the most comprehensive examination, it should only be utilized for problem solving or follow-up. Summary: Cardiac traumatic injury is a rare entity that may result in significant adverse clinical outcomes. Variability in clinical presentation renders clinical diagnosis difficult, especially in the absence of a true gold standard. While cross-sectional imaging is rarely ordered to directly assess for cardiac injury, imaging is frequently utilized in trauma and may be valuable in providing clues to the diagnosis of cardiac injury and helping guide which injuries require further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Commotio cordis （CC） is the acute death caused by the cardiac rhythm disorder after a sudden blunt external force to the precordium of a healthy person without previous heart disease. As one type of violent heart damage, CC is rare with relatively small external force and sudden death, therefore causing disputes. This paper reviews the epidemiology, mechanisms and the key points in forensic identification of CC, discusses the identification and antidiastole of CC, myocardial contusion, sudden cardiac death and death from inhibition, and provides assistance to forensic pathologists to identify such causes of death.

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Copyright of Journal of Forensic Medicine / Fayixue Zazhi is the property of Journal of Forensic Medicine Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Cardiac lesions secondary to blunt chest trauma vary from insignificant arrhythmias to fatal cardiac rupture. Of these, a distinction remains difficult; face to ST-segment elevation on ECG with positive cardiac biomarkers, is it a myocardial contusion or a genuine myocardial infarction (MI) secondary to coronary lesions? We report the case of a patient admitted for multiple trauma. Initial assessment showed an ST segment elevation on ECG, along with multiple fractures and abdominal injuries. We would like to discuss, through this case, the similarities and the differences between myocardial infarction due to coronary lesions and myocardial contusion in a traumatic context, but also emphasize the difficulty of striking the right balance between thrombotic and bleeding risks in this situation, and insist on the importance of a multidisciplinary and collegial reflexion so we can offer these patients the best care there is.

Cardiac lesions secondary to blunt chest trauma vary from insignificant arrhythmias to fatal cardiac rupture. Of these, a distinction remains difficult; face to ST-segment elevation on ECG with positive cardiac biomarkers, is it a myocardial contusion or a genuine myocardial infarction (MI) secondary to coronary lesions? We report the case of a patient admitted for multiple trauma. Initial assessment showed an ST segment elevation on ECG, along with multiple fractures and abdominal injuries. We would like to discuss, through this case, the similarities and the differences between myocardial infarction due to coronary lesions and myocardial contusion in a traumatic context, but also emphasize the difficulty of striking the right balance between thrombotic and bleeding risks in this situation, and insist on the importance of a multidisciplinary and collegial reflexion so we can offer these patients the best care there is. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: A contusão miocárdica está freqüentemente associada ao trauma torácico fechado. Seu correto diagnóstico é um constante desafio aos profissionais que trabalham em unidades de emergência, devido aos seus sintomas inespecíficos e a ausência de exames subsidiários com precisão para fazer o diagnóstico. Dentre os diversos métodos diagnósticos estudados, tem-se destacado nos últimos anos o papel dos indicadores de necrose miocárdica troponina I e troponina T. Por serem proteí­nas constituintes do aparelho de regulação contrátil celular, são liberadas na corrente sanguínea somente após a perda da integridade de membrana dos miócitos e, portanto, são altamente específicas para detectar lesão miocárdica. CONTEUDO: Foi realizada uma revisão de estudos clínicos nas bases eletrônicas de dados MedLine e LILACS, no período de janeiro de 1980 a novembro de 2006, sobre a importância da dosagem seriada de troponina como instrumento diagnóstico e preditor de evolução clínica desfavorável nos pacientes com contusão miocárdica. CONCLUSÕES: Embora exista maior especificidade das troponinas I e T quando comparadas aos indicadores tradicionais, CKMB massa e CPK total, esses dois indicadores apresentarem sensibilidade e valor preditivo positivo baixos para diagnosticar contusão miocárdica. Pacientes que apresentam alterações eletrocardiográficas, elevação de troponinas, ou ambas, devem permanecer em observação em unidade de terapia intensiva (UTI), por no mínimo 24 horas, período em que se desenvolve a maioria das complicações decorrentes da contusão miocárdica.BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Myocardial contusion is often associated with blunt chest trauma. Its diagnosis is challenging to the professionals who work in emergency department due to nonspecific symptoms and the lack of auxiliary exams with enough accuracy to diagnose. Among the available diagnostic tools, the biomarkers of myocardial injury troponin I and troponin T have stood out. Troponins are proteins of the citocellular apparatus, released into the bloodstream only after the disruption of myocytes cellular membrane. Therefore they are highly specific to detect myocardial injuries. CONTENTS: We performed a clinical review using the electronic databases MedLine and LILACS from January 1980 to November 2006 about the importance of a serial measurement of troponin I and T as a diagnostic tool as well as predictor of unfavorable clinical outcome in patients with myocardial contusion after a blunt chest trauma. CONCLUSIONS: Although troponins I and T are more specific than usual biomarkers CKMB and CK, these two first biomarkers show a low sensitivity and positive predictive value to diagnosis myocardial contusion. Patients with ECG abnormalities, troponins elevations or both should remain in an intensive care unit (ICU) for at least 24 hours, period in which they cam develop most of the complications related to myocardial contusion.

Background: Blunt cardiac injury (BCI) may manifest as cardiac contusion or, more rarely, as pericardial or myocardial rupture. Computed tomography (CT) is performed in the vast majority of blunt trauma patients, but the imaging features of cardiac contusion are not well described.Purpose: To evaluate CT findings and associated injuries in patients with clinically diagnosed BCI.Materials and Methods: We identified 42 patients with blunt cardiac injury from our institution's electronic medical record. Clinical parameters, echocardiography results, and laboratory tests were recorded. Two blinded reviewers analyzed chest CTs performed in these patients for myocardial hypoenhancement and associated injuries.Results: CT findings of severe thoracic trauma are commonly present in patients with severe BCI; 82% of patients with ECG, cardiac enzyme, and echocardiographic evidence of BCI had abnormalities of the heart or pericardium on CT; 73% had anterior rib fractures, and 64% had pulmonary contusions. Sternal fractures were only seen in 36% of such patients. However, myocardial hypoenhancement on CT is poorly sensitive for those patients with cardiac contusion: 0% of right ventricular contusions and 22% of left ventricular contusions seen on echocardiography were identified on CT.Conclusion: CT signs of severe thoracic trauma are frequently present in patients with severe BCI and should be regarded as indirect evidence of potential BCI. Direct CT findings of myocardial contusion, i.e. myocardial hypoenhancement, are poorly sensitive and should not be used as a screening tool. However, some left ventricular contusions can be seen on CT, and these patients could undergo echocardiography or cardiac MRI to evaluate for wall motion abnormalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Computed tomography (CT) plays an important role in trauma because imaging findings directly impact management. Advances in CT technology, specifically multienergy CT, have allowed for simultaneous acquisition of images at low and high kilovolt peaks. This technique allows for differentiation of materials given that materials have different absorption behaviors. Various multienergy CT postprocessing applications are helpful in the setting of trauma, including bone subtraction, virtual monoenergetic imaging, iodine-selective imaging, and virtual noncontrast imaging. These techniques have been applied from head to toe and have been used to improve image quality and increase conspicuity of injuries, which increases diagnostic confidence., Competing Interests: Disclosure The authors have nothing to disclose., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: To evaluate the usefulness and information collecting ability of speckle tracking imaging techniques in the assessment of myocardial regional ventricular contractility in a rabbit model with blunt cardiac injury.Methods: Fifteen healthy New Zealand rabbits weighing (2.70 ±0.28) kg were anesthetized (3% pentobarbital sodium/i.v) and impacted using the BIM-II biological impact machine to induce myocardial contusion (MC). Hemodynamic parameters, such as heart rate, systolic pressure, mean arterial pressure, diastolic pressure and central venous pressure, were determined before and after MC. Further, parameters reflecting left ventricular functions, such as left ventricular end systolic pressure, left ventricular end diastolic pressure, isovolumic pressure (IP) and the maximal increasing/decreasing rate of left intraventricular pressure (±dp/dtmax), were also determined before and after MC. Left ventricular functions were determined either by two dimensional transthoracic echocardiography or by speckle tracking imaging for segmental abnormal ventricular wall motions.Results: Heart rate, systolic pressure, diastolic pressure and mean arterial pressure decreased significantly but transiently, while central venous pressure markedly increased after MC. In contrast to significant changes in diastolic functions, there was no significant change in cardiac systolic functions after MC. The speckle tracking imaging demonstrated that strain values of different myocardial segment significantly decreased post impact, and that of the ventricular segment decreased from segment to segment.Conclusion: Speckle tracking imaging is useful and informative to assess myocardial regional dysfunctions post MC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cardiac-specific troponins (Tns) are sensitive and specific markers of myocardial injury that have been shown to be predictive of outcomes in many cardiac and noncardiac conditions. We sought to determine whether normal cardiac Tn concentrations obtained during the first 24 hours following blunt chest trauma would predict good cardiac outcomes. A PubMed/MEDLINE search was performed to identify prospective studies in patients with blunt chest trauma in which serial cardiac TnT or TnI values were measured within 24 hours of admission and clinical outcomes assessed. Ten studies qualified for review. Studies that used the lower reference limit of Tn as the cutoff for cardiac injury showed 100% negative predictive value (NPV) for developing cardiac complications, whereas studies using higher Tn cutoffs showed wider variation in NPV (50%-98%). Cardiac Tn measured within 24 hours using the lower reference limit (LRL) as the cutoff appears to have excellent NPV for clinically significant adverse cardiac events. This could allow for early discharge after a 24-hour observation period in otherwise uncomplicated blunt chest trauma patients and avoid the need for more expensive cardiac imaging and additional resource utilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Acute myocardial infarction, following coronary artery dissection, is a rare, but potentially fatal, syndrome after blunt chest trauma. The treatment is more complicated when intracerebral lesions are present, because of the need of anticoagulation. We report the case of a 37-year-old male patient, suffering from a polytraumatism with intracranial petechial haemorrhages who have a left coronary artery dissection with acute myocardial infarction. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We sought to evaluate the significance of Doppler tissue energy (DTE) and stressed echocardiography for diagnosing myocardial contusion (MC) in canines. Ten adult healthy dogs were anesthetized (3% pentobarbital sodium/i.v.) and impacted by BIM-II biological impact machine to induce MC. Conventional and stressed echocardiographies were used for segmental abnormal ventricular wall motions; DTE was also used to detect the abnormal ventricular wall motions and areas of injured myocardial fibers after MC, and the results were compared with those of triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining. The data show that both conventional and stressed echocardiographies identified ventricular wall segmental abnormal motions or even aneurysms. These segments were mainly distributed over the front and middle interventricular walls and anterolateral ventricular wall. The ventricular wall motion scoring and wall motion segment index (WMSI) increased remarkably after MC induction. Compared with TTC staining, the conventional echocardiography showed 100% sensitivity and 66.67% specificity, whereas the stressed echocardiography displayed 100% sensitivity and 88.89% specificity. DTE showed both the sensitivity and specificity of 100% for MC diagnosis. Thus, DTE has higher specificity than conventional and stressed echocardiographies. In conclusion, both DTE and stress echocardiography have higher clinical value for MC diagnosis in canines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We sought to investigate the role of two-dimensional stress echocardiography in the early assessment of myocardial contusion. For this purpose, 12 dogs, weighing 11.36 ± 1.50 kg, were selected and the myocardial contusion was experimentally induced. Two-dimensional dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) was used to detect abnormal myocardial motions segments at time phases of baseline and 0.5, 2, 4, and 8 h post-wounding. Finally, the above results were compared with pathological findings. The data show that after the dogs were induced to have severe myocardial contusion, 122 segments were found with abnormal myocardial wall motions at 0.5 h post-wounding, 133 segments at 2 h post-wounding, and 142 segments, each, at 4 h and 8 h post-wounding. The wall motion score (WMS) and wall motion score index (WMSI) increased ( P < 0.001) as compared with the pre-impaction values. Considering the left ventricular axis view as the standard section, in the 60 segments examined by echocardiography, 54 segments were found to have wall motion abnormalities. Comparing with the results of pathological TTC staining, the sensitivity and specificity were found to be 100 and 66.6%, respectively. It was, therefore, concluded that two-dimensional DSE was a valuable technique in the early diagnosis of myocardial contusion due to its better sensitivity and specificity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Blunt cardiac injury typically occurs in patients who are severely injured and have sustained significant thoracic trauma such as multiple rib fractures, pulmonary contusions and haemopneumothorax. Blunt cardiac injury while uncommon can have life threatening consequences. Often no clinical features manifest until a complication occurs which can be quite sudden. We describe the screening methods for blunt cardiac injury (most importantly the ECG), and discuss evaluation is focused on identifying those likely to develop cardiac complications, so they can be closely monitored and intervention rapidly performed. This case has highlighted the value of pro-active nursing care to detect physiologic alteration and deter further deterioration. The evidence surrounding early investigations such as electrocardiography and cardiac troponin measurement have been discussed in clinical context. The importance of ongoing monitoring, awareness of signs of deterioration and effective communication has been highlighted. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The proposed experimental model reproduces the mechanism of isolated contusion of the heart resultant from the chest stroke against the steering wheel prop in a car accident. The conditions of experiment rule out the additional pathogenetic factors occurring in clinical practice (extracardiac injuries, alcohol intoxication, blood loss, pain, etc.) and hence, it is possible to study the mechanisms of developing myocardial dysfunction proper and its contribution to the course and outcome of the posttraumatic period. Clinical, hemodynamic, and pathomorphological equivalents of this kind of blunt injury of the heart were obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work attempted to define the care and course of those most severely affected patients in the setting of blunt chest trauma, who had hypotension refractory to routine fluid resuscitation. Twenty-three critically ill blunt trauma ICU patients were resuscitated and enrolled with ongoing hypotension required placement of a pulmonary artery catheter. The REF®Explorer (Baxter, Edwards, Anaheim, CA) catheter was placed in the right heart measuring pressure, volume and oxygen utilization information, as well as recording Injury Severity Score, EKG, CXR, CPK/MB and echocardiography over the initial 72-h time period. There were an approximately 2,300 Level I trauma patients admitted annually over a 4-year period with an overall mortality rate of 4.3% (100) patients with 3.4% (79) patients “ruling in” with elevated cardiac enzymes, associated with an increased mortality rate of 6.7% (p < 0.05). The 23 patients were male (17, 74%), mean age 41.2 years, with no past medical history (19, 83%), in a motor vehicle accident (21, 91%), with pulmonary injury (9, 39%), undergoing celiotomy in (10, 44%). They presented with moderate to severe trauma acuity defined as mean GCS of 8.6, TS of 11.3, and ISS of 34 with an increased mean hospital stay of 15 days versus 6 days in the ICU; and a 26 days versus 10 days overall stay for those with myocardial contusion (p < 0.05). Analysis of diagnostic variables found an abnormal EKG in (21, 91%), CXR in (20, 87%) and echocardiogram in (8, 37%). The total CPK was found to be elevated, mean 2,219 (204–8,278 U/l), while the MB fraction was normal 2.3 ± 1.3%. Invasive cardiac monitoring found an increase in CO of 1.6 l/min from 5.9 to 7.8 l/min during the first 24 h of recovery. Survival was worsened with increased ISS (29 vs. 43) p < 0.02, but improved with longer ICU (17 vs. 8) p < 0.03 and hospital (39 vs. 7) p < 0.05 stay in days. The analysis of commonly used diagnostic modalities – EKG, CXR, ECHO, or CO, did not correlate with survival, but the total CPK was increased in survivors (2,715 vs. 1,432 U/l) p < 0.009. There is worsened morbidity with a 2-fold increase in ICU LOS and hospital stay, and a 1.5-fold increase in mortality in the severe myocardial contusion group. The diagnostic dilemma posed by lack of definitive testing continues unresolved after analysis of routinemodalities – EKG, CXR, ECHO, CPK or CO – failing to yield a “best test”. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: To investigate the morphology and hemodynamics of the early myocardial contusion, an animal model of cardiac contusion was established by impact to the precordial region at sternum at velocity of 10.0m/s with a mechanical elastic-cord propelled impactor in 19 dogs. The electrocardiogram and both the left and right intra-ventricular pressures were recorded continuously throughout the experiment. Histological and immunohistochemical examinations of myoglobin, creatine kinase-MB and fibrinogen were conducted. At the moment of impact, abrupt over-pressures within the left and right ventricles occurred with concomitant serious arrhythmias followed by variety of cardiac conduction disorders and depressed left and right ventricular systolic pressures during the observation times. Histologically, lesions of myocardial contusions were identified at subepicardial, myocardial or subendocardial layer as interstitial hemorrhage, disruption or coagulative necrosis as well as contraction band necrosis of the muscle fibers, which might be categorized into the hemorrhagic, necrotized and mixed forms. The three forms of lesions were found to exist independently, or co-existed in a heart. However, severity of the lesions varied greatly with different parts even within a heart. Intravascular thromboses were occasionally discovered post-impact. Immunohistochemically, loss of myoglobin and creatine kinase-MB from cardiac cells, and accumulation of fibrinogen at the cell membranes were detected 5min post-impact. The intracellular accumulation of fibrinogen increased with extension of post-impact intervals. Our results indicate that diverse morphological lesions concomitant with hemodynamic compromise and serious, even fatal arrhythmias occur in the early myocardial contusion, and intravascular thromboses are occasionally produced, suggesting that traumatic myocardial ischemic lesion may be induced due to blunt impact to the precordial region. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]