Myocardial contusion is a bruise of the heart muscle.
The most common causes are:
A severe myocardial contusion may lead to signs and symptoms of a heart attack.
Symptoms can include:
The doctor or nurse will perform a physical exam. This may show:
Tests may include:
These tests may show:
You will be closely monitored for 24 hours. An electrocardiogram (ECG) will be done continually to check your heart function.
Emergency room treatment may include:
Other therapies may be used to treat a heart injury, include:
A complete recovery is usually seen in those with a mild myocardial contusion.
Serious heart injuries can increase your risk for heart failure or heart rhythm disturbances.
The following safety tips may help prevent a heart bruise:
Blunt myocardial injury
Hamilton RS. Myocardial contusion. In: Rosen P, Barkin RM, Hayden Sr, Schaider JJ, Wolfe R, eds. Rosen and Barkin's 5-Minute Emergency Medicine Consult. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2007.
Eckstein M, Henderson SO. Thoracic Trauma. In: Marx, JA, ed. Rosen’s Emergency Medicine. 7th ed. Saint Louis, Mo: Mosby Elsevier: 2009: chap 42.
Updated by: Jacob L. Heller, MD, MHA, Emergency Medicine, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, Washington. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M. Health Solutions, Ebix, Inc.
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