title: Acute myocardial infarction related to blunt thoracic trauma.
abstract: Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is a rare, potentially fatal and often unrecognized complication of blunt thoracic trauma (BTT). Heart injury is diagnosed in less than 10% of all cases of blunt thoracic trauma. Medical literature is scarce in publications about AMI caused by BTT (AMI-BTT). There is no specific protocol on this issue. We describe two cases of AMI-BTT in young patients who were previously healthy and with no risk factors for coronary artery disease. The diagnostic tools and therapeutic approach are discussed based on a literature review. We conclude that the emergency physician should be alert for the possibility of AMI in victims of BTT, regardless of the intensity of the trauma.
authors.affiliation: Hospital Mater Dei, Postgraduate Center, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil. brunojanella@terra.com.br
authors.forename: Bruno Laurenti
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Janella
authors.forename: Robério Júnior Damasceno
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Pinto
authors.forename: Henrique Patrus Mundim
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Pena
authors.forename: José Guilherme
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Carneiro
authors.forename: Marcos Roberto
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: de Sousa
authors.forename: Marcos Almeida Magalhães
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Andrade Júnior
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D004452:Echocardiography; D004562:Electrocardiography; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D013898:Thoracic Injuries / Q000150:complications*; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000150:complications*