title: Intimal tears of the right atrium of the heart due to blunt force injuries to the abdomen. Its mechanism and implications.
abstract: We present six cases involving intimal tears of the right atrium of the heart. A proposed mechanism for this injury is discussed, along with implications of the lesion in fatally abused children and traumatized older patients who survive until hospitalization.
authors.affiliation: Medical Examiner's Office, First Judicial Circuit, Pensacola, Florida.
authors.forename: G D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Cumberland
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Riddick
authors.forename: C F
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: McConnell
mesh_terms: D000007:Abdominal Injuries / Q000150:complications*; D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002649:Child Abuse; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006325:Heart Atria / Q000293:injuries; D006335:Heart Injuries / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000150:complications*