title: Cardiac contusion: two case vignettes.
abstract: When patients with blunt chest trauma and suspected cardiac contusion are brought to the emergency department, focus on detecting subtle signs of myocardial dysfunction. Obtain the important first EKG, monitor for arrhythmia development, and assess for signs of failure of the right side of the heart.
authors.affiliation: Emergency Department, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland, Ore., USA.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hoiting
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Harrahill
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003288:Contusions / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000451:nursing*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004562:Electrocardiography; D016529:Emergency Nursing / Q000379:methods; D004638:Emergency Treatment / Q000379:methods* / Q000451:nursing; D005260:Female; D006335:Heart Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000451:nursing*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009730:Nursing Assessment / Q000379:methods