33 Blunt and penetrating cardiac trauma

Question 1

What are the echo characteristics of blunt and penetrating cardiac trauma?

Answer 1

Blunt cardiac trauma increases cardiac pressures. Pericardial effusion/haemorrhage, cardiac tamponade, myocardial injury (e.g. ventricular wall rupture, VSD), valvular injury (e.g. acute regurgitation) and myocardial contusion (myocardial bruising).

Penetrating cardiac trauma creates a hole in a cardiac structure. Pericardial effusion/haemorrhage causing cardiac tamponade, myocardial injury (e.g. ventricular wall rupture, VSD), valvular injury (e.g. acute regurgitation), vascular injury (e.g. aortic dilatation/dissection).