How Is Cardiac Contusion Diagnosed?

Cardiac contusion is an infrequent but occasionally serious complication of deceleration injury. According to ATLS teaching, the true diagnosis of contusion can

only be established by direct inspection of the myocardium

. The clinically important sequelae of myocardial contusion are hypotension and arrhythmia.

Which of the following tests is a useful diagnostic test for myocardial contusions?

Blood tests (cardiac enzymes, such as Troponin-I or T or CKMB)

Chest x-ray

.

CT scan of the chest

.

Electrocardiogram (ECG)

Which type of ECG changes is most commonly seen with myocardial contusion?

Patients with suspected blunt cardiac injury should have an ECG. Various nonspecific abnormalities are possible in contusion: The most common is

sinus tachycardia

. Continuous ECG monitoring for 24 to 48 hours is recommended when abnormalities are found.

What causes a cardiac contusion?

Cardiac contusion is usually caused by

blunt chest trauma

and therefore is frequently suspected in patients involved in car or motorcycle accidents. The diagnosis of a myocardial contusion is difficult because of non-specific symptoms and the lack of an ideal test to detect myocardial damage.

Can a cardiac contusion cause PVCS?

It can cause

premature

ventricular contraction (PVC) and transient bundle branch block (BBB). Another common structural injury is papillary muscle rupture that can lead to regurgitation of the valves and may require repair.

What is cardiac contusion?

Myocardial contusion is

a bruise of the heart muscle

. The interior of the heart is composed of valves, chambers, and associated vessels. The external structures of the heart include the ventricles, atria, arteries and veins. Arteries carry blood away from the heart while veins carry blood into the heart.

How serious is a cardiac contusion?

A myocardial contusion refers to a bruise of the cardiac muscle, the severity of which can vary depending on the severity of the injury and when the injury occurs. It is a major cause of

rapid death

which happens after blunt chest trauma and should be suspected at triage in the emergency department.

How long does a heart contusion take to heal?

Stretch slowly to the point just before discomfort begins, then hold the stretch for at least 15 to 30 seconds. Do this 3 or 4 times per day. As your pain gets better, slowly return to your normal activities. Be patient, because chest bruises

can take weeks or months to heal

.

How is a heart contusion treated?

1. blood drainage from the heart.
2. surgery to repair blood vessels.
3. chest tube placement to prevent fluid buildup in the chest.
4. placement of a pacemaker to help regulate heartbeat.

What does a bruised heart feel like?

(Cardiac Contusion; Myocardial Contusion)

People may feel that their heart is

pounding or racing, feel short of breath, or have dangerously low blood pressure

.

Why does my heart feel like its bruised?

Many people with chest pain describe feeling like their sternum is bruised. The sternum is more commonly called the breastbone. While it’s possible to bruise your sternum, this pain is more

likely caused by costochondritis

. This is inflammation of the cartilage that connects your ribs to your sternum.

What are 10 common signs and symptoms of chest injury?

• pain in the chest that gets worse when laughing, coughing or sneezing.
• tenderness.
• bruising.
• swelling.

Can airbag damage heart?

Even though airbags save lives and reduce injuries,

they can also cause cardiac and pulmonary injuries and death

, especially if the driver or passenger is not wearing a seatbelt and — of special note — people who present following low-speed crashes.

How do you treat a contusion?

1. Rest. Rest the area whenever possible.
2. Ice. Apply a cold compress to the area to reduce swelling. …
3. Compress. Compress the bruised area with a wrap or bandage to reduce swelling. …
4. Elevate. If possible, raise the affected area above your heart.

What are the signs of traumatic asphyxia?

Traumatic asphyxia is also known as Perte’s syndrome. Symptoms and signs of traumatic asphyxia include

swelling of the face and neck

, bluish discoloration (cyanosis) of the head and neck, subconjunctival bleeding in the eyes, and small spot-like hemorrhages on the skin of the face, neck, and upper chest.

Can your heart fall out place?

Some conditions can make a person’s heart feel like it’s beating out of their chest, or cause such intense pain, a person may think their heart will explode. Don’t worry,

your heart can’t actually explode

.