Management of Thoracic and Cardiac Trauma: A Case Series and Literature Review

Cureus. 2022 Jun 30;14(6):e26465. doi: 10.7759/cureus.26465. eCollection 2022 Jun.

Abstract

Patients with cardiac and thoracic trauma remain one of the most difficult presentations to diagnose and treat in an emergency room setting. Here, we present our series of four cases of cardiac and thoracic trauma with varied presentations, including lung, vascular, and diaphragmatic injuries that were managed successfully. We further review the manifestations of cardiac trauma, including cardiac contusions, cardiac rupture, pericardial injury, and valvular injuries; thoracic trauma, including lung and diaphragmatic injury. The sheer complexity of the anatomical structures within the thorax makes it of the utmost importance to timely and appropriately manage them.

Keywords: blunt cardiac trauma; cardiac troponin-t; echocardiography; focused assessment with-sonography in trauma; penetrating cardiac trauma.

Publication types

  • Case Reports