Cardiac injuries caused by trauma: Review and case reports

Abstract

Assessment of suspected cardiac injuries in a trauma setting is a challenging and time-critical matter, with clinical and imaging findings having complementary roles in the formation of an accurate diagnosis. In this article, we review the supporting literature for the pathophysiology, classification and evaluation of cardiac injuries caused by trauma. We also describe 4 cardiac trauma patients seen at a tertiary referral hospital.

Keywords: Blunt cardiac injury; Cardiac trauma; Heart injury; Penetrating cardiac injury.