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Heart, section through the middle
Heart, section through the middle

Heart, front view
Heart, front view

Myocardial contusion

Definition:

Myocardial contusion is a "bruise" of the heart muscle .



Alternative Names: Blunt myocardial injury

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

The most common causes are:

  • Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
  • Falls from heights greater than 20 feet
  • Motor vehicle accidents (usually due to the driver coming into contact with the steering wheel)


Symptoms:

Pain in the breastbone (sternum) alerts the physician that there may have been an injury. Usually there are no symptoms other than a feeling that your heart is racing.



Signs and tests:

Signs include:

  • Abnormalities in the ability of the ventricle to contract (wall motion abnormalities)
  • Defect in the electrical system of the heart (right bundle branch block)
  • Fast heart rhythm originating at the sinus node of the heart (sinus tachycardia)
  • Ventricular dysrhythmia

Tests include:



Treatment:

Treatment is usually supportive. Patients are watched for 24 hours and continually monitored by ECG.

Some patients may need pain medication for pain in the breastbone (sternum).



Support Groups:



Expectations (prognosis):

You should recover fully.

In non-severe cases, the bruised part of the heart often regains its function without any permanent scarring.



Complications:

The main complication is that the bruising may lead to heart attack. This may cause long-term weakness in the ability of the heart to contract.

Abnormal heartbeats and conduction of electrical signals (arrhythmias ) can occur. These can be serious.



Calling your health care provider:



Prevention:

Basic safety precautions are keys to preventing myocardial contusion. Wear a seat belt when driving and purchase an automobile with air bags.



Review Date: 5/15/2008
Reviewed By: Robert A. Cowles, MD, Assistant Professor of Surgery, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
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