The Association between Blunt Cardiac Injury and Isolated Sternal Fracture

The treatment of isolated sternal fractures (ISF) throughout the world is heterogeneous. This study aimed to identify the incidence, morbidity, and mortality associated with isolated fractures of the sternum and describe current practice for diagnosis and management of ISF and cardiac injury at a level I trauma center in the UK. A retrospective cohort study of adult patients (>16 years) with ISF presenting from 2006 to 2010 was conducted. Eighty-eight patients with ISF were identified. Most patients (88%, 77) were admitted to hospital with 66% (58) of them discharged within 48 hours. Two (2%) patients had an ER EKG with abnormality but both resolved to normal sinus rhythm within 6 hours of follow-up. Serum CEs were drawn from 55 (63%) patients with only 2 (2%) having a rise in serum troponin >0.04; however, in both of these patients troponin quickly normalized. Six (7%) patients underwent echocardiograms without significant findings. In all 88 patients with ISF, no cases of clinically significant cardiac injury were identified. Patients presenting with an isolated sternal fracture with no changes on EKG or chest X-ray do not warrant an admission to hospital and may be discharged from the ER.

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Management of Vertical Sternal Fracture Nonunion in Elite-Level Athletes

Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine ◽

10.1177/23259671211010804 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (6) ◽

pp. 232596712110108

Author(s):

Andrea Bardos ◽

Sanjeeve Sabhrawal ◽

Graham Tytherleigh-Strong

Keyword(s):

Ct Scan ◽

Constant Score ◽

Case Series ◽

Sternal Fracture ◽

Elite Level ◽

The Mean ◽

Mean Time ◽

Time From Injury ◽

Sternal Fractures

Background: Sternal fractures are rare, and they can be treated nonoperatively. Vertical sternal fractures have rarely been reported. Purpose: To describe the management and surgical treatment of a series of elite-level athletes who presented with symptomatic nonunions of a vertical sternal fracture. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: Patients with an established symptomatic nonunion of a vertical sternal fracture, as diagnosed by computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), underwent open reduction and internal fixation using autologous bone graft and cannulated lag screws. The patients were assessed preoperatively and at the final follow-up using the Rockwood sternoclavicular joint (SCJ) score; Constant score; and shortened version of the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (QuickDASH) scores. Bony union was confirmed on postoperative CT scan. Results: Five patients (4 men and 1 woman) were included; all were national- or international-level athletes (rugby, judo, show-jumping, and MotoGP). The mean age at surgery was 23.4 years (range, 19-27 years), the mean time from injury to referral was 13.6 months (range, 10-17 months), and the mean time from injury to surgery was 15.8 months (range, 11-20 months). The mean follow-up was 99.4 months (range, 25-168 months). There was a significant improvement after surgery in the mean Rockwood SCJ score (from 12.6 to 14.8 [ P < .05]), Constant score (from 84 to 96.4 [ P < .05]; 80% met the minimal clinically important difference [MCID] of 10.4 points), and QuickDASH (from 6.8 to 0.98 [ P < .05]; 0% met the MCID of 15.9 points). Four of the patients were able to return to sport at their preinjury level, and 1 patient retired for nonmedical reasons. All of the fractures had united on the postoperative CT scan. There were no postoperative complications. Conclusion: Vertical fractures of the sternum are very rare and tend to behave clinically like an avulsion fracture injury to the capsuloligamentous structure of the inferior SCJ. The requirement of advanced imaging to diagnose this injury means that the actual incidence and natural history are not known. For high-demand athletes, early identification, surgical reduction, and fixation are likely to achieve the best outcome.

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Complications of the Mustard Operation

Pediatrics in Review ◽

10.1542/pir.8.4.106 ◽

1986 ◽

Vol 8 (4) ◽

pp. 106-126

Keyword(s):

Heart Block ◽

Normal Sinus Rhythm ◽

Venous Blood ◽

Resting Heart Rate ◽

Normal Sinus ◽

Mustard Operation ◽

Mitral Orifice ◽

The Mean ◽

Degree Heart Block

Eight pediatric cardiac centers pooled clinical and ECG data from 372 patients who survived the Mustard operation (intraatrial baffle directing pulmonary venous blood to the tricuspid orifice and systemic venous blood to the mitral orifice) for at least 3 months. The follow-up period ranged from 0.4 to 15.9 years, and the mean age at operation was 2 years. The mean resting heart rate for patients who had the Mustard operation was consistently lower than age-matched controls. During the year of operation, 76% of patients had normal sinus rhythm; this percentage declined yearly to 57% by the end of the eighth postoperative year. Active arrhythmias increased after the tenth year. Second or third-degree heart block occurred in 33% of patients during the year of operation and changed very little thereafter. Of the total 372 patients, 39 received pacemakers, 52% during the year of surgery and 48% evenly distributed throughout the follow-up period.

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Uncommon cause of chest pain in a postoperative spinal patient

BMJ Case Reports ◽

10.1136/bcr-2018-225293 ◽

2018 ◽

pp. bcr-2018-225293

Author(s):

Rajesh Dwivedi

Keyword(s):

Chest Pain ◽

Spinal Surgery ◽

Anterior Chest Wall ◽

Sternal Fracture ◽

Pulmonary Angiogram ◽

Chest Wall Trauma ◽

History Of ◽

Ct Pulmonary Angiogram ◽

Chest X Ray ◽

Sternal Fractures

An 84-year-old woman with previous spinal operations including vertebroplasty and lumbar decompressions was admitted electively under the spinal team for right-sided L4/5 decompression for worsening back pain which she undergoes using a posterior approach. Postoperatively, she develops stabbing upper central chest pain and given unremarkable chest X-ray, ECG and cardiac troponin, she undergoes a CT pulmonary angiogram which shows a fracture of the upper part of sternum but no pulmonary embolism. There is no history of recent trauma and this is deemed to be secondary to prolonged spinal surgery in the prone position in a patient with osteopenic bones. To date, we have not come across a case of spontaneous sternal fracture as a complication of spinal surgery at our regional spinal unit. Most cases of sternal fractures are secondary to blunt anterior chest wall trauma with spontaneous fractures and stress fractures being rare.

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Syncope Caused by Huge Hiatal Hernia

Case Reports in Cardiology ◽

10.1155/2011/560734 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 2011 ◽

pp. 1-2 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Gabriel Vanerio

Keyword(s):

Blood Pressure ◽

Hiatal Hernia ◽

Normal Sinus Rhythm ◽

White Female ◽

Loss Of Consciousness ◽

X Ray ◽

Normal Sinus ◽

Carbonated Soft Drinks ◽

Chest X Ray ◽

Careful History

A 84-year-old white female had a brief loss of consciousness while playing bridge. A few minutes before the episode she had eaten pizza and significant amount of carbonated soft drinks. After recovery, her friends noticed that she was alert, but pale and sweating. Upon arrival at the emergency room, sitting blood pressure was 160/60 mmHg with a normal sinus rhythm. A chest X-Ray was performed, which was essential to make the diagnosis. The X-Ray showed a large retrocardiac opacity with air and liquid level compatible with a giant hiatus hernia. After a copious snack the hiatal hernia compressed the left atrium, decreasing the left cardiac output, elucidating the mechanism of the syncopal episode. In patients presenting with swallow syncope (particularly after a copious meal, validating the importance of a careful history), a chest X-Ray should be always be performed.

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Bucindolol Decreases Atrial Fibrillation Burden in Patients with Heart Failure and the ADRB1 Arg389Arg Genotype

Circulation Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology ◽

10.1161/circep.120.009591 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Jonathan P. Piccini ◽

Christopher Dufton ◽

Ian A. Carroll ◽

Jeff S. Healey ◽

William T. Abraham ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heart Failure ◽

Atrial Fibrillation ◽

Sinus Rhythm ◽

Normal Sinus Rhythm ◽

Left Ventricular ◽

Rhythm Control ◽

Left Ventricular Ejection ◽

Ventricular Ejection Fraction ◽

Normal Sinus

Background - Bucindolol is a genetically targeted β-blocker/mild vasodilator with the unique pharmacologic properties of sympatholysis and ADRB1 Arg389 receptor inverse agonism. In the GENETIC-AF trial conducted in a genetically defined heart failure (HF) population at high risk for recurrent atrial fibrillation (AF), similar results were observed for bucindolol and metoprolol succinate for the primary endpoint of time to first atrial fibrillation (AF) event; however, AF burden and other rhythm control measures were not analyzed. Methods - The prevalence of ECGs in normal sinus rhythm, AF interventions for rhythm control (cardioversion, ablation and antiarrhythmic drugs), and biomarkers were evaluated in the overall population entering efficacy follow-up (N=257). AF burden was evaluated for 24 weeks in the device substudy (N=67). Results - In 257 patients with HF the mean age was 65.6 ± 10.0 years, 18% were female, mean left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was 36%, and 51% had persistent AF. Cumulative 24-week AF burden was 24.4% (95% CI: 18.5, 30.2) for bucindolol and 36.7% (95% CI: 30.0, 43.5) for metoprolol (33% reduction, p < 0.001). Daily AF burden at the end of follow-up was 15.1% (95% CI: 3.2, 27.0) for bucindolol and 34.7% (95% CI: 17.9, 51.2) for metoprolol (55% reduction, p < 0.001). For the metoprolol and bucindolol respective groups the prevalence of ECGs in normal sinus rhythm was 4.20 and 3.03 events per patient (39% increase in the bucindolol group, p < 0.001), while the rate of AF interventions was 0.56 and 0.82 events per patient (32% reduction for bucindolol, p = 0.011). Reductions in plasma norepinephrine (p = 0.038) and NT-proBNP (p = 0.009) were also observed with bucindolol compared to metoprolol. Conclusions - Compared with metoprolol, bucindolol reduced AF burden, improved maintenance of sinus rhythm, and lowered the need for additional rhythm control interventions in patients with HF and the ADRB1 Arg389Arg genotype.

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Atypical chest pain in a young woman with an interatrial bronchogenic cyst

BMJ Case Reports ◽

10.1136/bcr-2021-241736 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (4) ◽

pp. e241736

Author(s):

Essam Saad ◽

Pooja Singh ◽

Marc Iskandar

Keyword(s):

Emergency Department ◽

Chest Pain ◽

Sinus Rhythm ◽

Cardiac Mri ◽

Bronchogenic Cyst ◽

Normal Sinus Rhythm ◽

Pathology Report ◽

Atypical Chest Pain ◽

Normal Sinus

A 31-year-old woman presented to the emergency department with atypical retrosternal chest pain and dyspnoea. Investigations initially revealed atrial flutter on her electrocardiogram and an interatrial septal mass on CT angiography of the chest. Additional workup with cardiac MRI and transoesophageal echocardiogram were able to delineate the cardiac mass. Electrophysiology and cardiothoracic surgery were consulted. The mass was excised in the same hospitalisation and the pathology report demonstrated a bronchogenic cyst. After mass excision, the patient chest pain has decreased, and she reverted back to normal sinus rhythm. On further follow-up, her flecainide and metoprolol were stopped.

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TO DETERMINE THE ROLE OF RANOLAZINE FOR RHYTHM CONTROL STRATEGY IN PATIENTS WITH NON- VALVULAR ATRIAL FIBRILLATION- AN OBSERVATIONAL STUDY FROM A TERTIARY CARE CENTER. (RANOVA STUDY)

10.36106/gjra/9601756 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 48-53

Author(s):

Praveen Shukla ◽

Awadhesh Kumar Sharma ◽

Biswajit Majumder ◽

Pritam Kumar Chatterjee ◽

Vinay Krishna ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Atrial Fibrillation ◽

Sinus Rhythm ◽

Control Strategy ◽

Normal Sinus Rhythm ◽

Rhythm Control ◽

Normal Sinus ◽

History Of ◽

Group A ◽

Group B

Objectives – Non- valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) is the most commonly occurring arrhythmia worldwide .Ranolazine is an emerging drug with a ray of hope in the management of NVAF. This is the first large observational study with longer follow up of one year. Methods - It is a hospital based observational prospective study. A total of 100 patients was recruited for the study .The primary objective was to determine the efficacy of ranolazine in converting NVAF to sinus rhythm & the secondary objective was to study epidemiological aspects of NVAF. Results –After 1 month of follow up conversion to normal sinus rhythm was 12% in group A & 6% in group B (6%), it was not significant statistically (Z=1.48p=0.13). After 6 months, conversion to normal sinus rhythm was increased from 12% to 18% in group A which was preserved at 12 months of follow up and statistically significant and higher than that of group B (6.0%) (Z=2.61p=0.009). In predisposing risk factors & other co-morbidities HTN was present in 61%, obesity together with overweight in 37%, smoking in 44%, history of moderate amount of alcohol intake in 35%, history of CVA/TIA in 13%, DM in 11%, CKD in 4%, CAD in 30%, COPD in 20% and congestive heart failure in 15% of the patients. Conclusion- Ranolazine is an effective option when used for rhythm control strategy in NVAF. HTN is the predominant predisposing risk factor.

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Restoration of normal sinus rhythm in atrial fibrillation: impact of reverse remodelling of right chambers on tricuspid regurgitation severity

European Heart Journal ◽

10.1093/ehjci/ehaa946.0067 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽

Author(s):

L Soulat-Dufour ◽

I Benhamou-Tarallo ◽

S Lang ◽

S Ederhy ◽

Y Ancedy ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Atrial Fibrillation ◽

Sinus Rhythm ◽

Tricuspid Regurgitation ◽

Normal Sinus Rhythm ◽

Integrated Approach ◽

Pharmacological Therapy ◽

Normal Sinus ◽

Direct Current Cardioversion ◽

Group A

Abstract Background The severity of tricuspid regurgitation (TR) in patients with restored normal sinus rhythm (SR) after atrial fibrillation (AF) has been poorly assessed. Purpose Our study aimed to assess (1) right chamber remodelling and (2) TR severity in patients with AF who have had their rhythms restored to normal sinus. Methods We prospectively evaluated 94 consecutive patients hospitalized for AF who received either ablation, direct current cardioversion, or pharmacological therapy. Patients were divided into two groups according to their cardiac rhythm at 6 months follow up (6M): restoration to SR (SR group, n=54), persistence of AF (AF group, n=40). TR vena contracta (VC), TR grade severity was divided into 4 grades using an integrated approach (0: none or trace; 1: mild; 2: moderate; 3: severe TR). Two dimensional (2D) end diastolic (ED) tricuspid annulus (TA) diameter in the apical 4 chambers view, three-dimensional (3D) indexed volumes (3D Vi) of the right atrium (RA) and right ventricle (RV) in end systole (ES) and ED were acquired using transthoracic echocardiography at admission and at 6M. Results At 6M, in the SR group a significant improvement in TR VC (Figure A) and TR grade (Figure B) were noted, whereas there was no differences in the AF group (0.41 vs. 0.42cm, p=0.24 for TR VC; 1.70 vs. 1.76, p=0.16 for mean TR grade). In the SR group a significant reduction in 3D ES RV Vi, 2D ED TA diameter, 3D ES and ED Vi of the RA (Table) were observed. Regression of TR VC was correlated with regression of right cavities parameters (ρ=0.47, p<0.001 for 2D ED TA diameter; ρ=0.34, p<0.005 for 3D ES RA Vi; ρ=0.33, p<0.005 for 3D ED RV Vi; ρ=0.29, p<0.005 for 3D ES RV Vi). Conclusion Restoration of normal SR in patients with AF results in beneficial remodelling of right cavities at 6M of follow-up which were associated with a significant decrease in TR severity. Strategies for normal SR restoration in patients with AF and TR should be vigorously attempted. TR Evolution Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

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Nonoperative Management of Multiple Penetrating Cardiac and Colon Wounds from a Shotgun: A Case Report and Literature Review

Case Reports in Surgery ◽

10.1155/2018/7839465 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 2018 ◽

pp. 1-5 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Paula M. Jaramillo ◽

Jaime A. Montoya ◽

David A. Mejia ◽

Salin Pereira Warr

Keyword(s):

Ct Scan ◽

Normal Sinus Rhythm ◽

Penetrating Trauma ◽

Cardiac Trauma ◽

Nonsurgical Management ◽

Normal Sinus ◽

Standard Management ◽

Asymptomatic Patients ◽

Traumatic Lesions

Introduction. Surgery for cardiac trauma is considered fatal and for wounds of the colon by associated sepsis is normally considered; however, conservative management of many traumatic lesions of different injured organs has progressed over the years. Presentation of the Case. A 65-year-old male patient presented with multiple shotgun wounds on the left upper limb, thorax, and abdomen. On evaluation, he was hemodynamically stable with normal sinus rhythm and normal blood pressure, no dyspnea, or abdominal pain. Computed tomography (CT) scan of the chest shows hematoma around the aorta without injury to the blood vessel wall with an intramyocardial projectile without pericardial effusion. CT scan of the abdomen showed pellets in the transverse colon and descending colon endoluminal without extravasation of contrast medium or intra-abdominal fluid. The patient remains hemodynamically stable, and nonsurgical procedure was established. Discussion. Patients with asymptomatic intramyocardial projectiles can be safely managed without surgery. Nonsurgical management is only possible in asymptomatic patients with trauma of the colon through close surveillance and with very selective patients since standard management is surgery. Conclusion. Nonsurgical management of cardiac trauma, as well as colon penetrating trauma, can be performed in carefully selected patients with proper clinical follow-up, imaging, and laboratory studies.

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Syncope triggered by atrial flutter in a patient with a pacemaker: cross-stimulation—a case report

European Heart Journal - Case Reports ◽

10.1093/ehjcr/ytab041 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 (2) ◽

Author(s):

Olga Durán-Bobin ◽

Francisco Crespo-Mancebo ◽

Juliana Elices-Teja ◽

Carlos González-Juanatey

Keyword(s):

Sinus Rhythm ◽

Atrial Flutter ◽

Normal Sinus Rhythm ◽

Pacemaker Implantation ◽

P Waves ◽

Normal Sinus ◽

Surface Ecg ◽

Patient Reported ◽

Chest X Ray ◽

High Degree

Abstract Background Syncope in a patient with a pacemaker is a serious event requiring urgent action to ascertain its cause. Around 5% of cases are due to a pacemaker system malfunction. Case summary An 82-year-old man underwent dual-chamber permanent pacemaker implantation due to intermittent high-degree atrioventricular block (AVB) in sinus rhythm. Nine months later, the patient reported episodes of syncope. The chest X-ray showed both leads to be at their expected positions. The electrocardiography (ECG) showed common atrial flutter. Ventricular capture during pacing in atrial demand pacing (AAI) mode confirmed cross-stimulation due to the switching of the atrial and ventricular leads at the pacemaker header. Discussion Cross-stimulation is a rare possibility in a differential diagnosis of causes of syncope. The diagnosis is frequently made during the procedure or a few hours later. The lack of symptoms during 9 months in this case was likely due to the patient having normal sinus rhythm with preserved AV conduction most of the time, as well as ventricular capture from the atrial lead related to non-sensed P waves. When atrial arrhythmias occurred, the sensing of the F waves inhibited ventricular pacing. In order to avoid this complication, in patients with intermittent bradycardia, pacing at a slightly higher heart rate during implantation of the device should be recommended to see the chamber paced with the surface ECG connected to the device interrogator. The ECG and electrogram (EGM) should correlate during device interrogation in order to identify this complication.)

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