Myocardial contusion: a case study of a myocardial infarction

Crit Care Nurs Q. 1994 Nov;17(3):14-20. doi: 10.1097/00002727-199411000-00003.

Abstract

Injuries from blunt trauma can occur from a variety of causes. Myocardial contusion is the most common injury resulting from blunt, nonpenetrating trauma to the chest. The potential hemodynamic changes seen with a blunt chest trauma victim are often insidious and confusion. Diagnosing a myocardial contusion concomitant with other traumatic injuries can often be delayed, especially in light of the fact that immediate cardiac dysfunction may be slow in manifesting symptoms. Through use of a case study approach, this article demonstrates that a myocardial contusion has many similarities in terms of pathophysiologic changes with that of a myocardial infarction, often confusing symptoms and therefore diagnosis and treatment.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Contusions / diagnosis*
  • Contusions / physiopathology
  • Contusions / therapy
  • Critical Care
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Electrocardiography
  • Heart Injuries / diagnosis*
  • Heart Injuries / physiopathology
  • Heart Injuries / therapy
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Monitoring, Physiologic
  • Myocardial Infarction / diagnosis
  • Nursing Assessment
  • Wounds, Nonpenetrating / diagnosis*
  • Wounds, Nonpenetrating / physiopathology
  • Wounds, Nonpenetrating / therapy