14. Cardiac Trauma

Question 1

Which valve is most at risk for a rupture due to trauma?

Answer 1

Aortic valve bc it is most anterior on the chest.

Question 2

A myocardial contusion has signs and symptoms that are similar to that for _____ but there are impt differences bt these 2 conditions

Answer 2

pericarditis

Question 3

Etiology of Pericarditis (medical)

Answer 3

-Trauma (rare)
-Viral
-After an MI
-Post-op cardiac sx
-Radiation
-Idiopathic
-Dressler’s syndrome–immune response after an MI,
surgery, or traumatic injury

Question 4

Etiology of Myocardial contusion (trauma)

Answer 4

-Worse outcome than pericarditis
-Broken vessels bleed into the heart, similar to an MI
-Cardiac dysrhythmias
-Death can occur within the first 48 hrs

Question 5

Signs and symptoms of pericarditis (medical)

Answer 5

-Cheat pain
-Pain worsens with inspiration
-dyspnea
-low grade temp
-increased Sed rate
-ST elevation in all leads
-cardiac tamponade
-Post-MI, dressler’s syndrome, may last months

Question 6

Signs and symptoms of myocardial contusion (trauma)

Answer 6

-Signs of trauma
-chest pain
-pain worsens with inspiration
-dyspnea
-low-grade temperature
-ST elevation in the area of injury

Question 7

Treatment for pericarditis (medical)

Answer 7

-symptom relief
-analgesics
-anti-inflammatory agents
-NSAIDs
-Steroid
-Antibiotics
-Monitor for worsening symptoms
-Monitor for constrictive pericarditis
-Monitor for cardiac tamponade

Question 8

Treatment for myocardial contusion (trauma)

Answer 8

-monitor for arrhythmias
-analgesics as needed