Blunt Cardiac Injury: A Single-Center 15-Year Experience

Abstract

In recent years, the incidence of blunt cardiac injury (BCI) has increased rapidly and is an important cause of death in trauma patients. This study aimed to explore early diagnosis and therapy to increase survival. All patients with BCI during the past 15 years were analyzed retrospectively regarding the mechanism of injury, diagnostic and therapeutic methods, and outcome. The patients were divided into two groups according to the needs of their condition—nonoperative (Group A) and operative (Group B). Comparisons of the groups were performed. A total of 348 patients with BCI accounted for 18.3 per cent of 1903 patients with blunt thoracic injury. The main cause of injury was traffic accidents, with an incidence of 48.3 per cent. In Group A (n = 305), most patients sustained myocardial contusion, and the mortality was 6.9 per cent. In Group B (n = 43), including those with cardiac rupture and pericardial hernia, the mortality was 32.6 per cent. Comparisons of the groups regarding the shock rate and mortality were significant ( P < 0.01). Deaths directly resulting from BCI in Group B were greater than those in Group A ( P < 0.05). In all 348 patients, the mortality rate was 10.1 per cent. When facing a patient with blunt thoracic injury, a high index of suspicion for BCI must be maintained. To manage myocardial contusion, it is necessary to protect the heart, alleviate edema of the myocardium, and control arrhythmia with drugs. To deal with those requiring operation, early recognition and expeditious thoracotomy are essential.