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. 2009 Apr 14:4:14.
doi: 10.1186/1749-7922-4-14.

Coronary artery dissection and acute myocardial infarction following blunt chest trauma

Johannes L Bjørnstad  1 , Johan Pillgram-Larsen, Theis Tønnessen
Affiliations

Coronary artery dissection and acute myocardial infarction following blunt chest trauma

Johannes L Bjørnstad et al. World J Emerg Surg. .

Abstract

Blunt chest trauma might lead to cardiac injury ranging from simple arrhythmias to lethal conditions such as cardiac rupture. We experienced a case of initially overlooked traumatic coronary artery dissection which resulted in acute myocardial infarction (AMI). A high degree of suspicion is needed to diagnose this condition. Based on our case, we will give an overview of relevant literature on this topic. ECG, echocardiography, coronary angiography and cardiac enzymes are valuable tools in diagnosing this rare condition. The time span from coronary artery occlusion to revascularisation must be short if AMI is to be avoided.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Coronary angiogram showing dissection of the middle part of the left anterior descending coronary artery (arrow).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Electrocardiogram on admission showing sinus rhythm and right bundle branch block.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Electrocardiogram recorded sixteen hours after the accident showing ST-elevations in the anterior leads.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Serum TnT-levels on admission and daily the first seven days of hospitalisation.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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