Myocardial ContusionSymptoms, Doctors, Treatments, Advances & More
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
Tufts Medical Center
Barry Maron is a Cardiologist practicing medicine in Boston, Massachusetts. Dr. Maron is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Myocardial Contusion. He is also highly rated in 16 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM), Cardiomyopathy, Myocardial Contusion, Heart Transplant, and Cardiac Ablation.
University Of Texas Southwestern Medical Center At Dallas
Mark Link is a Cardiac Electrophysiologist and a Cardiologist practicing medicine in Dallas, Texas. Dr. Link is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Myocardial Contusion. He is also highly rated in 34 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Myocardial Contusion, Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM), Ventricular Fibrillation, Cardiac Ablation, and Pacemaker Implantation.
Texas Health Surgical Specialists
Board-certified general surgeon Jeffrey Holloway, D.O., is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. He is fellowship-trained in minimally invasive surgery with special focus on gastrointestinal surgical techniques. Dr. Holloway received his Doctor of Osteopathy from the University of North Texas Health Science Center in Fort Worth before going on to complete his general surgery internship and residency through the University of Missouri – Kansas City Affiliated Hospitals system. While studying in Kansas City, he served as chief resident at Truman Medical Center & Saint Luke's Hospital and at Kansas City Veterans Administration Hospital.After completing his fellowship training in minimally invasive surgery through the Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Dr. Holloway returned to Missouri. He worked for seven years with Mosaic Life Care in St. Joseph, Mo., providing general and trauma surgical expertise, before making a move to North Texas.Dr. Holloway brings more than a decade of research and surgical care experience to Texas Health Surgical Care Southwest. His special interests include GI surgery with an emphasis in laparoscopic techniques. He places a high priority on improving the quality of life for individuals with chronic health conditions and surgical needs. Dr. Holloway speaks fluent Spanish. Dr. Holloway is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Myocardial Contusion. He is also highly rated in 9 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Gallstones, Choledocholithiasis, Ogilvie Syndrome, Gastrostomy, and Hernia Surgery.
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.
Boccalandro F, Shreyder K. Traumatic heart disease. In: Levine GN, ed. Cardiology Secrets. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 72.
Cameron J. Trauma and emergency care. In: Cameron J, ed. Current Surgical Therapy. 14th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 17.
Raja AS. Thoracic trauma. In: Walls RM, ed. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 37.