Traumatic blunt cardiac injuries: An updated narrative review

Int J Crit Illn Inj Sci. 2019 Jul-Sep;9(3):113-119. doi: 10.4103/IJCIIS.IJCIIS_29_19. Epub 2019 Sep 30.

Abstract

Blunt cardiac injury (BCI) is defined as injuries sustained due to blunt trauma to the heart, and it remains unchanged for long time. The spectrum of BCI ranges from a minor "bruise" to specific postcontusion cardiac conditions such as free-wall rupture. This is a narrative review provides a continued and updates details regarding BCIs from 2008 to 2017. For this purpose, a narrative review of literature was conducted using appropriate database for retrieval of articles through systematic search methodology. Autopsy-based studies are very limited. It can be concluded that regardless of the variability in the spectrum of modalities and medical/surgical resources, BCIs diagnosis and management remain a puzzle and needs further prospective studies.

Keywords: And aortic injury; blunt cardiac injury; blunt trauma.

Publication types

  • Review