Harrison's PodClass: Internal Medicine Cases and Board Prep Ep 155: An 18-Year-Old with Trauma to the Chest
Jul 17, 2025
An intense case study of an 18-year-old with chest trauma from a lacrosse game sets the stage. The discussion delves into the complexities of blunt cardiac injuries and the vital differences between myocardial contusion and other issues. The hosts highlight the importance of ECGs and cardiac biomarkers for accurate diagnosis. Furthermore, they emphasize the need for prompt medical responses, including defibrillator access at sports events, to ensure athlete safety.
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Lacrosse Chest Trauma Incident
- A high school lacrosse player was hit in the chest by a shot and immediately became unresponsive.
- This incident is an example of sudden cardiac injury occurring during sports, similar to recent public cases.
Blunt Cardiac Injury Origins
- Blunt cardiac injuries often arise during motor vehicle accidents from rapid deceleration or chest impact.
- Such injuries may occur without external thoracic trauma signs, complicating diagnosis.
Blunt Cardiac Injury in Sports
- Sports-related blunt cardiac injury is rare but possible through mechanisms like falls or impacts.
- Myocardial contusion describes broad cardiac damage signs detected via ECG and biomarkers after non-penetrating trauma.