Nonpenetrating cardiac injuries: A collective review

Nonpenetrating chest trauma with injury to the heart has become increasingly common, particularly as a result of deceleration injuries in modern, high speed, vehicular accidents. The present report reviews the currently available information concerning the several varieties of cardiac lesions which are incurred, including damage to the pericardium, myocardium, valvular structures, and coronary arteries. Although highly lethal if neglected and often obscured by associated trauma, cardiac damage can generally be estimated quickly with a proper index of suspicion and relatively simple diagnostic tools. Modern medical and surgical techniques in the appropriate clinical settings have proved curative.