Investigation of Cardiac Injuries, Including Contusions, in Patients with Blunt Chest Trauma

Blunt cardiac injury (BCI) is a critical yet underdiagnosed condition in patients with blunt chest trauma, often leading to significant morbidity and mortality. Despite its clinical importance, there is a lack of standardized diagnostic criteria, making early identification and management challenging. This study aimed to investigate the incidence, associated factors, and outcomes of BCI in patients with blunt chest trauma, addressing a significant research gap in trauma care.

This retrospective observational study included 180 patients with blunt chest trauma from 2020 to 2021. Data on age, sex, cause of trauma (e.g., car accidents, motorcycle accidents, falls), and clinical outcomes were collected. BCI was diagnosed based on elevated troponin levels, echocardiographic findings, or CT imaging. Injury Severity Scores (ISS), length of hospital stay, and mortality rates were also recorded.

Among 180 patients, BCI was diagnosed in 13.3% (n=24). There was no significant difference in age, sex, or mechanism of trauma between patients with and without BCI. Motorcycle accidents were the most common cause of BCI (66.7%). Patients with BCI had significantly higher mortality rates (20.8% vs. 7.1%, P<0.01) and higher ISS scores (35.37 vs. 32.14, P<0.05) compared with those without BCI. Pulmonary contusion was significantly more prevalent in BCI patients (70.8% vs. 39.7%, P<0.01).

BCI in patients with blunt chest trauma is associated with higher mortality, greater injury severity, and an increased incidence of pulmonary contusion.

These findings underscore the need for early and accurate diagnosis of BCI using troponin levels and imaging, as well as tailored management strategies to improve outcomes.