title: Blunt cardiac contusions.
abstract: This article is meant to provide physicians with a working definition of blunt cardiac contusions as well as mechanism of injury for blunt cardiac contusions and the differential diagnoses. It is also meant to help physicians with management and plan of care. After a thorough history and physical examination, the implementation of prompt CPR and prehospital automatic external defibrillator use has been shown to increase the survival rate.
authors.affiliation: Department of Sports Medicine, St Francis Hospital, University of Connecticut, Hartford, CT 06105, USA. Mmascaro@stfranciscare.org
authors.forename: Melissa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mascaro
authors.forename: Thomas H
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Trojian
mesh_terms: D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D003288:Contusions / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D006335:Heart Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000175:diagnosis