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Module 4: Thoracic Injuries

Segment 8: Cardiac Injuries

References labeled PEDS contain a pediatric element or primary focus.

Topic: Cardiac injuries

  • Alerhand S, Adrian RJ, Long B, et al. Pericardial tamponade: A comprehensive emergency medicine and echocardiography review. Am J Emerg Med. 2022;58:159-174. doi: 10.1016/j.ajem.2022.05.001 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35696801/.
  • Baldwin D, Chow KL, Mashbari H, et al. Case reports of atrial and pericardial rupture from blunt cardiac trauma. J Cardiothorac Surg. 2018;13(1):71. doi: 10.1186/s13019-018-0753-2 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29914563/.
  • Bekbossynova M, Mukarov M, Kanabekova P, et al. Biochemical markers of myocardial contusion after blunt chest trauma. Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg. 2025;51(1):189. doi: 10.1007/s00068-025-02866-y https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40298997/.
  • Bekbossynova M, Saliev T, Mukarov M, et al. Indirect myocardial injury in polytrauma: Mechanistic pathways and the clinical utility of immunological markers. J Cardiovasc Dev Dis. 2025;12(7) doi: 10.3390/jcdd12070268 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40710793/.
  • Biffl WL, Fawley JA, Mohan RC. Diagnosis and management of blunt cardiac injury: What you need to know. J Trauma Acute Care Surg. 2024;96(5):685-693. doi: 10.1097/ta.0000000000004216 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37968802/.
  • Cleary HL, Bernard MD, Davenport DL, et al. Diagnostic value of serum troponin in stable patients at risk for blunt cardiac injury. Injury. 2026;57(9) doi: 10.1016/j.injury.2026.113448 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.injury.2026.113448.
  • Del Buono MG, Brecciaroli M, Saponara G, et al. Contemporary analysis of cardiac tamponade etiologies, treatments, and outcomes: The CATEO study. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol. 2025;doi: 10.1097/fjc.0000000000001702 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40261953/.
  • Fitzgerald M, Johnny C, Lew C, et al. Pericardial Decompression for Acute Traumatic Cardiac Tamponade-Pearls and Clamshells. Emerg Med Australas. 2026;38(4):e70328. doi: 10.1111/1742-6723.70328 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42572013/.
  • Fox WE, Marshall M, Walters SM, et al. Bedside clinician’s guide to pulmonary artery catheters. Crit Care Nurse. 2023;43(4):9-18. doi: 10.4037/ccn2023133 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37524367/.
  • Hromalik Jr LR, Wall Jr MJ, Mattox KL, et al. Penetrating cardiac injury: a narrative review. Mediastinum. 2023;7doi: 10.21037/med-22-18 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37261091/.
  • Huerta CE. Blunt cardiac injury in thoracic trauma. Emerg Med News. 2026;48(1):5-6. doi: 10.1097/01.Eem.0000000000000154 https://journals.lww.com/em-news/fulltext/2026/01000/blunt_cardiac_injury_in_thoracic_trauma.4.aspx.
  • Katsura M, Ambrose C, Siletz AE, et al. The contemporary use of emergency pericardiocentesis in trauma: A nationwide trend analysis. Am J Emerg Med. 2025;98:213-219. doi: 10.1016/j.ajem.2025.08.062 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40907275/.
  • Kopelman TR, Biffl WL, Coimbra R, et al. Western Trauma Association critical decisions in trauma: Significant blunt cardiac injury. J Trauma Acute Care Surg. 2026;100(5):787-794. doi: 10.1097/ta.0000000000004929 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41718613/.
  • Nair L, Winkle B, Senanayake E. Managing blunt cardiac injury. J Cardiothorac Surg. 2023;18(1):71. doi: 10.1186/s13019-023-02146-z https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36765392/.
  • Parreira JG, Coimbra R. Penetrating cardiac injuries: What you need to know. J Trauma Acute Care Surg. 2025;98(4):523-532. doi: 10.1097/ta.0000000000004524 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39670817/.
  • Qandil M, Ransom P, Shammala MA, et al. Pericardiocentesis, drainage and instilled tranexamic acid: definitive management in a 25-case series of penetrating cardiac tamponade. Injury. 2026:113106. doi: 10.1016/j.injury.2026.113106 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41760498/.
  • Royster RL, Coleman SR, Richardson KM. Cardiac tamponade: Impact of pathophysiology on clinical practice. Anesthesiology. 2026;144(2):461-472. doi: 10.1097/aln.0000000000005719 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41552901/.
  • Sosnoski O, Cloyd J, Briggs B. Obstructive shock from delayed blunt cardiac injury after chest trauma. Int J Emerg Med. 2026;19(1) doi: 10.1186/s12245-026-01326-7 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42601605/.
  • Stokes J, Seabrooks J, Yeung YL, et al. Safe patient handling and pressure injury prevention for patients with delayed sternal closure. Crit Care Nurse. 2023;43(4):51-57. doi: 10.4037/ccn2023108 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37524365/.
  • Zhang Y, Zhang L, Huang X, et al. ECMO in adult patients with severe trauma: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Eur J Med Res. 2023;28(1):412. doi: 10.1186/s40001-023-01390-2 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37814326/.