Myocardial infarction following a blunt chest trauma: A case report

RATIONALE: Blunt cardiac injury (BCI) is a common complication after blunt chest trauma, which can lead to mild arrhythmia, severe chamber or valvular rupture, or even death. Myocardial infarction following blunt chest trauma is a rare but fatal condition. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 38-year-old, previously healthy, man was admitted to our hospital with a complaint of dyspnea. He had a history of being hit in the chest by a high-speed screw while working in a factory 3 months before he was admitted to the hospital. DIAGNOSIS: After performing coronary angiography and echocardiography, he was finally diagnosed with myocardial infarction. INTERVENTIONS: He received optimized medications, including diuretics, β-blockers, and cardiac stimulants. OUTCOMES: At the 4-year follow-up, the patient was diagnosed as having chronic heart failure with a reduced ejection fraction. LESSONS: Owing to the first doctor's lack of experience and knowledge with this case, the patient was misdiagnosed and treatment was delayed, which subsequently led to heart failure. BCI can lead to myocardial infarction if patients are misdiagnosed and treatment is delayed. Thus, surgeons and physicians should consider cardiac complications in patients with chest trauma to reduce the incidence of its misdiagnosis.