title: Blunt Cardiac Injury.
abstract: Blunt cardiac injury encompasses multiple different injuries, including contusion, chamber rupture, and acute valvular disorders. Blunt cardiac injury is common and may cause significant morbidity and mortality; a high index of suspicion is needed for accurate diagnosis. Diagnostic work-up should always include electrocardiogram and cardiac enzymes, and may include echocardiography if specific disorders (ie, tamponade or valvular disorders) are suspected. Patients with myocardial contusion should be observed for 24 to 48 hours for arrhythmias. Many other significant forms of blunt cardiac injury require surgical intervention.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine and Neurology, Division of Neurocritical Care and Emergency Neurology, Yale University School of Medicine, 464 Congress Street, Suite 260, New Haven, CT 06519, USA; Division of Neurocritical Care and Emergency Neurology, Department of Neurology, Yale University School of Medicine, PO Box 208018, New Haven, CT 06520-8018, USA. Electronic address: emarcolini@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Evie G
authors.initials: EG
authors.lastname: Marcolini
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
authors.forename: Joshua
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Keegan
mesh_terms: D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D056104:Commotio Cordis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D003288:Contusions / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D004562:Electrocardiography; D006335:Heart Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D009104:Multiple Trauma; D012421:Rupture / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000150:complications*
keywords: Blunt cardiac injury; Cardiac concussion; Cardiac contusion; Commotio cordis; Contusio cordis