Citation

Talving P, Demetriades D. Pediatr. Clin. North Am. 2014; 61(1): 111-130.

Affiliation

Division of Acute Care Surgery (Trauma, Emergency Surgery and Surgical Critical Care), Department of Surgery, Keck School of Medicine, LAC+USC Medical Center, University of Southern California, 2051 Marengo Street, IPT - C5L100, Los Angeles, CA 90033-4525, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.pcl.2013.09.016

PMID

24267461

Abstract

The spectrum of blunt cardiac trauma ranges from asymptomatic myocardial contusion to fatal cardiac arrhythmias and/or cardiac rupture. Although cardiac rupture is common in fatal traffic accidents, these patients rarely reach hospital care. Insignificant blunt cardiac injury during sports may cause fatal arrhythmia in teens. Penetrating cardiac trauma is fairly common in the United States, encountered frequently in major urban centers. Most cases are dead at the scene and never reach hospital. The incidence of cardiac sequelae in survivors is high, and these patients should be evaluated with early and late echocardiography to detect anatomic or functional cardiac involvement.

Language: en