Learn About Myocardial Contusion
Myocardial contusion is a bruise of the heart muscle.
Blunt myocardial injury
The most common causes are:
- Car crashes
- Getting hit by a car
- Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
- Falling from a height, most often greater than 20 feet (6 meters)
A severe myocardial contusion may lead to signs and symptoms of a heart attack.
Symptoms can include:
- Pain in the front of the ribs or breastbone
- Feeling that your heart is racing
- Lightheadedness
- Nausea or vomiting
- Shortness of breath
- Weakness
In most cases, you will be closely monitored for at least 24 hours. An ECG will be done continually to check your heart beat and function.
Emergency room treatment may include:
- Catheter placement through a vein (IV)
- Medicines to relieve pain, heart rate disturbances, or low blood pressure
- Pacemaker (temporary, may be permanent later)
- Oxygen
Other therapies may be used to treat a heart injury, include:
- Chest tube placement
- Draining blood from around the heart
- Surgery to repair blood vessels in the chest
Advocate Health And Hospitals Corporation
Abdulah Alrifai is a Cardiologist in Hazel Crest, Illinois. Dr. Alrifai and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Myocardial Contusion. His top areas of expertise are Heart Attack, Bidirectional Tachycardia, Apoplexy, Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR), and Aortic Valve Replacement. Dr. Alrifai is currently accepting new patients.
University Of Chicago
Jennifer Cone is a General Surgeon in Chicago, Illinois. Dr. Cone and is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Myocardial Contusion. Her top areas of expertise are Myocardial Contusion, Compartment Syndrome, Gallbladder Disease, Fasciotomy, and Gallbladder Removal. Dr. Cone is currently accepting new patients.
University Of Chicago
Jeremy Slivnick is a Cardiologist in Chicago, Illinois. Dr. Slivnick and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Myocardial Contusion. His top areas of expertise are Cardiac Amyloidosis, Primary Amyloidosis, Cardiomyopathy, Heart Failure, and Tissue Biopsy. Dr. Slivnick is currently accepting new patients.
People with a mild myocardial contusion will recover completely most of the time.
Serious heart injuries can increase your risk for heart failure or heart rhythm problems.
The following safety tips may help prevent a heart bruise:
- Wear a seat belt when driving.
- Choose a car with air bags.
- Take steps to ensure safety when working at heights.
Published Date: May 08, 2024
Published By: Thomas S. Metkus, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine and Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
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Raja AS. Thoracic trauma. In: Walls RM, ed. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 37.