Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 26, 2026
06:04
Author Spotlight: Establishment and Confirmation of a Postnatal Right Ventricular Volume Overload Mouse Model
Published on: June 9, 2023
1.6K
Paediatric chest wall trauma causing delayed presentation of ventricular arrhythmia
Angela M Tegethoff1, Emerald Raney1, Jenny Mendelson1
1Department of Emergency Medicine, Banner-University Medical Center Tucson, Tucson, Arizona, USA.
BMJ Case Reports
|July 26, 2017
Summary
A child experienced ventricular tachycardia after chest trauma. Standard tests missed cardiac injury, but cardiac MRI revealed hematoma and contusion, highlighting diagnostic limitations.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pediatric Medicine
- Diagnostic Imaging
Background:
- Blunt chest trauma in pediatric patients can lead to cardiac complications.
- Standard diagnostic workups may not detect subtle cardiac injuries.
Observation:
- A pediatric patient presented with hemodynamically stable non-sustained ventricular tachycardia one day post-minor blunt chest trauma.
- Initial laboratory results, chest X-ray, and echocardiography were unremarkable.
Findings:
- Cardiac MRI identified a precordial hematoma, myocardial contusion, and a small pericardial effusion.
- The patient remained asymptomatic except for frequent premature ventricular contractions, managed with oral verapamil.
Implications:
- This case underscores the potential for significant cardiac injury to be overlooked by conventional diagnostic methods.
- Advanced imaging like cardiac MRI is crucial for comprehensive assessment of pediatric chest trauma.
- Highlights the importance of considering cardiac injury in pediatric patients with chest trauma, even with normal initial evaluations.
Related Concept Videos
01:26Flail Chest-II
732
Managing flail chest, a condition characterized by a segment of the chest wall moving independently from the rest of the thoracic cage, requires a comprehensive approach. It includes a thorough assessment of the patient's condition, a diagnostic evaluation to determine the extent of the injury, and the implementation of appropriate medical interventions tailored to the individual's needs.
Assessment:
1. Clinical Evaluation:
History:
Assessment:
1. Clinical Evaluation:
History:
732
01:24Flail Chest-I
853
Overview of Flail Chest
Flail chest is a severe and potentially life-threatening condition characterized by the fracture of three or more adjacent ribs in multiple places. It is most commonly caused by direct impacts and trauma, such as motor vehicle accidents or injuries from a steering wheel impact. It can also occur due to falls in elderly individuals with osteoporosis, or assaults involving sharp objects.
Pathophysiology
The pathophysiology of flail chest is complex, involving fractures of...
Flail chest is a severe and potentially life-threatening condition characterized by the fracture of three or more adjacent ribs in multiple places. It is most commonly caused by direct impacts and trauma, such as motor vehicle accidents or injuries from a steering wheel impact. It can also occur due to falls in elderly individuals with osteoporosis, or assaults involving sharp objects.
Pathophysiology
The pathophysiology of flail chest is complex, involving fractures of...
853
01:25ECG Interpretation of Arrhythmias II: Atrial, Junctional and Ventricular Arrhythmias
697
Arrhythmia is a condition characterized by an irregular heart rhythm, with ECG changes that differ based on its origin and nature. The types of arrhythmias discussed below include atrial, junctional, and ventricular arrhythmias.Atrial ArrhythmiasPremature Atrial Complexes (PACs): PACs are early atrial beats caused by stress, caffeine, alcohol, electrolyte imbalances, hypoxia, hyperthyroidism, or certain medications (e.g., bronchodilators and decongestants). The ECG shows early P waves with an...
697
01:26Pneumothorax-I
1.7K
A pneumothorax is a condition where air builds up in the space between the lung and the chest wall, causing the lung to collapse. This condition arises when air enters the space between the parietal and visceral pleura, disrupting the negative pressure essential for lung inflation. This can lead to a partial or complete collapse of the lung.
Pneumothorax can be even further classified as spontaneous, traumatic, and tension pneumothorax.
Pneumothorax can be even further classified as spontaneous, traumatic, and tension pneumothorax.
1.7K
01:29Disturbances in Heart Rhythm
3.3K
Arrhythmia or dysrhythmia refers to an abnormal heart rhythm caused by a defect in the heart's conduction system. It can cause the heart to beat irregularly, too quickly, or too slowly, leading to symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, and fainting. Factors such as stress, caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, cocaine, certain drugs, congenital defects, diseases, and electrolyte abnormalities can trigger arrhythmias.
Arrhythmias are categorized by their speed, rhythm, and origin. A slow heart...
Arrhythmias are categorized by their speed, rhythm, and origin. A slow heart...
3.3K
01:18Dysrhythmias IV: Characteristics of Bradyarrhythmias
664
Bradyarrhythmias are cardiac rhythm disorders characterized by a slower-than-normal heart rate, typically defined as fewer than 60 beats per minute. Some of which are discussed here:Sinus BradycardiaSinus bradycardia presents a heart rate lower than 60 beats per minute, with a regular rhythm originating from the SA node. The ECG typically shows normal P waves preceding each QRS complex, a normal PR interval (0.12 to 0.20 seconds), and a normal QRS duration (0.06 to 0.10 seconds).First-Degree AV...
664