Cardiac rupture with intact pericardium: A report of four cases and short review of the literature

Abstract

Cardiac rupture with intact pericardium is a dangerous lesion due to high and rapid mortality. Its most common etiologies are blunt chest trauma and myocardial infarction. In forensic practice, this type of rupture can involve a complex relationship between trauma and cardiac disease, so clarifying the main cause of rupture is critical. Herein, we present four cases of cardiac rupture with intact pericardium, which were due to trauma, pathology or both. We propose several diagnostic pointers to analyze this uncommon lesion. Furthermore, the possibility of cardiac rupture induced by cardiopulmonary resuscitation should also be discriminated in such cases.

Keywords: Blunt trauma; Cardiac rupture; Forensic science; Hemopericardium.