[The role of cTnI levels in the detection of etiological factors for cardiac contusion].

BACKGROUND

Cardiac contusion, associated with on blunt chest trauma, was investigated according to changes of CPK, CKMB, ECG and especially cTnI levels.

METHODS

In this study, 88 cases with blunt traumas were evaluated prospectively. 61 cases with thoracic trauma and 27 cases without thoracic trauma as the control group were studied.

RESULTS

In 12 of 61 cases with thoracic trauma cTnI was elevated. cTnI showed no increase in cases without thoracic trauma. CKMB level was high in both thoracic trauma and control groups. 11 of 12 cases with elevated cTnI were traffic accidents. cTnI did not increase in 6 cases with sternum fractures.

CONCLUSIONS

We consider that decceleration wounds are the main cause of cardiac contusions. Although thoracic trauma is essential in the pathogenesis of cardiac contusion, rib fracture is not a rule. Cardiac contusion is not related directly with degrees of body and thoracic trauma. However it is more related with the degree of cardiac trauma.