Transthoracic echocardiogram is a useful tool in the hemodynamic assessment of patients with chest trauma.

INTRODUCTION

The utility of transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) in patients on the trauma service is not well defined. The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of abnormal echocardiographic findings that would aid in the assessment and management of cardiovascular hemodynamics in patients with chest trauma.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of all patients who had a TTE on the trauma service at a level 1 trauma center during a 12-month period was performed.

RESULTS

There were 94 patients in the study. TTE was performed after cardiac surgery in 5 patients. One of the 5 patients with prior cardiac surgery was excluded from the study because of poor quality images, and each of the remaining 4 patients showed significant TTE abnormalities. Of the 89 patients without prior cardiac surgery, 38 (43%) had significant TTE findings although 32 (84%) of them had no known history of cardiac abnormalities. A decreased left ventricular ejection fraction (<50%) was found in 18% of all patients, and half of them were hemodynamically unstable. Significant valvular regurgitation or stenosis was found in 31 patients, pulmonary hypertension in 25 patients, left ventricular wall motion abnormalities in 12 patients and pericardial effusion in 11 patients.

CONCLUSION

Significant echocardiographic abnormalities are detected by TTE in patients with chest trauma. Such findings can be used in the hemodynamic assessment and management of unstable patients during their hospitalization and in planning long-term follow-up and management of these patients after discharge from the hospital.