Myocardial infarction complicating blunt chest trauma: Case report and literature review

Abstract

Myocardial infarction represents a mechanical complication of blunt chest trauma, a rare but life-threatening condition in which careful evaluation is mandatory. Early intervention is crucial, and coronary stenting or bypass graft surgery is described with generally satisfactory long-term outcomes. We present a 28-year-old man who developed extensive myocardial infarction and circulatory arrest after a blunt chest trauma in a professional water polo game. The cardiac computed tomography and the coronary angiography demonstrated left main artery dissection; the echocardiogram revealed anterior myocardial infarction with a severely decreased left ventricular ejection fraction, and the patient underwent coronary angioplasty with stent implantation. Six days later, he complained about chest pain due to acute stent thrombosis, and coronary artery bypass grafting was performed. Left ventricular heart failure was treated with specific heart failure drug therapy and a biventricular pacemaker and defibrillator. Ten years later, the patient has a good quality of life, is asymptomatic and works as a water polo coach under heart failure drug therapy and regular follow-up.