Delayed sudden death determined by right atrial contusion

G. C. Curca, M. Ceausu, D. Dermengiu, P. Popov

Abstract: The authors made a search for the blunt thoracic trauma complications in the literature stressing out the differences between commotio cordis and cardiac contusion as the blunt cardiac injury. Physiopathology, clinical and autopsy findings are presented for both conditions. A rare case of delayed death after right atrium contusion in a 6 years-old child is reported and documented. In this particular case lethal cardiac complications appeared 10-12 hours after sustaining the thoracic blow. When promptly diagnosed and appropriately monitored and treated, cardiac contusion may have a better outcome. Commotio cordis urge for a very rapid intervention of CPR and defibrillation as the sole chance of survival treatment.
Keywords: Commotio Cordis, Cardiac contusion, Myocardial contusion