Recent and speculative remote myocardial trauma: a case series

European Heart Journal - Case Reports

12 July 2024
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ESC Journals IMAGING Cardiac Computed Tomography (CT) Cardiac Magnetic Resonance (CMR) Echocardiography

Abstract

AbstractBackground

Cardiac blunt trauma clinically presents as a spectrum of injuries of varying severity. However, the diagnosis of complications of remote myocardial trauma is often challenging, especially if the patient forgets to mention a remote history of chest trauma.

Case summary

In this study, we present a patient who recently experienced traumatic myocardial dissection and interventricular septal rupture, alongside three patients exhibiting a mimic double-chambered left ventricle, indicative of prior remote myocardial trauma potentially associated with myocardial dissecting tear.

Discussion

Patients with recent severe myocardial injury are detectable through cardiac imaging. However, forgotten remote myocardial trauma can lead to adverse myocardial remodelling, heart failure, and arrhythmias. Long-term myocardial remodelling can obscure initial myocardial imaging characteristics, posing challenges in interpretation. Our case series suggests that remote myocardial trauma may be more prevalent than commonly thought of in clinical practice.