Electrocardiographic ST-segment elevation in the trauma patient: acute myocardial infarction vs myocardial contusion

Am J Emerg Med. 2005 Jul;23(4):510-6. doi: 10.1016/j.ajem.2004.03.014.

Abstract

The diagnosis of myocardial contusion in the setting of blunt trauma engenders much discussion and controversy-partly because of the lack of a gold standard for its identification other than histologic findings at autopsy. Furthermore, blunt cardiac trauma represents a spectrum of disorders ranging from transient electrocardiographic change to sudden death from myocardial rupture; hence, no single terminology exists to define such a wide range of scenarios. Here, we present 2 cases of electrocardiographic ST-segment elevation after high-speed motor vehicle crashes resulting in numerous injuries, including blunt chest trauma. Both patients demonstrated electrocardiographic ST-segment elevation, resulting from myocardial contusion and acute myocardial infarction.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Arrhythmias, Cardiac / diagnosis
  • Arrhythmias, Cardiac / etiology
  • Chest Pain / etiology
  • Contusions / complications
  • Contusions / diagnosis*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Electrocardiography*
  • Emergency Medicine / methods
  • Heart Injuries / complications
  • Heart Injuries / diagnosis*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Myocardial Infarction / complications
  • Myocardial Infarction / diagnosis*