title: Acute myocardial infarction and congestive heart failure following a blunt chest trauma.
abstract: A 42-year-old man experienced chest discomfort after being struck by a low-speed flying object. Two weeks after the accident, the patient complained of severe shortness of breath accompanied by ankle edema. Chest X-ray indicated acute pulmonary edema and left ventricular enlargement. There were Q waves and flat T waves in the precordial ECG leads. Echocardiography revealed dyskinesis in the interventricular septum, hypokinesis in the anterior left ventricular wall, and severe impairment of left ventricular function. A coronary angiogram showed 90% stenosis of the proximal left descending coronary artery. Subsequent medical therapy with diuretics and enalapril led to significant improvement in ventricular function and the patient's symptoms. We conclude that a mild blunt chest trauma can cause myocardial infarction and severe congestive heart failure. Careful investigations into myocardial ischemia or infarction and a close follow-up should be conducted in all patients presenting with a blunt chest trauma.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Lishui Central Hospital, Lishui city, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Tiemin
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Wei
authors.forename: Lexin
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Liping
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Chunming
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Chunlai
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zeng
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D004452:Echocardiography; D004562:Electrocardiography; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D013898:Thoracic Injuries / Q000150:complications*; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000150:complications*