Blunt Cardiac Injury

Overview

4.5 out of 5 (37 Reviews)

Credits

1.50

Pharmacology Credits

0.0

Post Assessment Questions

9

Start Date

1 Sep 2023

Last Review Date

17 Jul 2024

Expiration Date

31 Aug 2026

Estimated Time To Finish

90 Minutes


 
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Activity Description

Blunt cardiac injury (BCI) refers to damage to the heart typically resulting from high-impact trauma, such as motor vehicle accidents, pedestrian collisions, motorcycle crashes, and significant falls. Previously termed "cardiac contusion," BCI encompasses a broad spectrum of myocardial injuries ranging from minor, asymptomatic conditions to severe, life-threatening cardiac ruptures. Often clinically silent initially, BCIs can lead to sudden arrhythmias or cardiac pump failure, requiring careful monitoring and treatment. Symptoms may include chest pain, shortness of breath, and arrhythmias—but many patients initially present without symptoms initially. Diagnosing BCI is challenging due to the lack of standardized diagnostic criteria and a definitive diagnostic test. Evaluation typically involves a thorough physical examination, electrocardiogram, cardiac biomarker monitoring, and possibly echocardiography. Treatment focuses on addressing dysrhythmias, providing supportive care, and, in severe cases, surgical intervention may be necessary.

Participants in this course gain comprehensive knowledge about the significance of BCI, learning to perform the recommended evaluations and implement appropriate management strategies. The course emphasizes the importance of collaborating with an interprofessional team that includes emergency physicians, cardiologists, nurses, and surgeons. This collaborative approach enhances patient outcomes by ensuring timely diagnosis, comprehensive monitoring, and coordinated care plans that address immediate and long-term needs.


Target Audience

This activity has been designed to meet the educational needs of physicians, physician associates, nurses, pharmacists, and nurse practitioners.

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this activity, the learner will be better able to:

  • Identify the clinical signs and symptoms associated with blunt cardiac injury, including both symptomatic and asymptomatic presentations.

  • Differentiate between blunt cardiac injury and other potential causes of chest trauma-related symptoms through careful assessment and diagnostic procedures.

  • Assess the severity of myocardial injury in patients with blunt cardiac injury using advanced diagnostic tools, including echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging when indicated.

  • Collaborate with an interprofessional team, including emergency physicians, cardiologists, nurses, and surgeons, to ensure comprehensive care for patients with blunt cardiac injury.

Disclosures

StatPearls, LLC requires everyone who influences the content of an educational activity to disclose relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies that have occurred within the past 24 months. Ineligible companies are organizations whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients. All relevant conflict(s) of interest have been mitigated. Hover over contributor names for financial disclosures. Others involved in planning this educational activity have no relevant financial relationships to disclose.

Commercial Support: This activity has received NO commercial support.

Continuing Education Accreditation Information

In support of improving patient care, StatPearls, LLC is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

 

Nurse Practitioners: StatPearls designates this activity for 1.50 ANCC contact hour(s), which includes 0 hour(s) of pharmacology. NPs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Please consult your professional licensing board for information on the applicability and acceptance of continuing education credit for this activity.

Method of Participation and Credit

  1. Register for the activity.    
  2. Review the target audience, learning objectives, and disclosure information.
  3. Study the educational content of the enduring material.
  4. Choose the best answer to each activity test question. To receive credit and a certificate, you must pass the test questions with a minimum score of 100%.
  5. Complete the post-activity assessment survey.

If you have concerns regarding the CE/CME system, please contact support@statpearls.com.

Disclaimer

This educational activity was planned and produced in accordance with the ACCME Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education. Faculty may discuss investigational products or off-label uses of products regulated by the FDA. Readers should verify all information before employing any therapies described in this educational activity.

The information provided for this activity is for continuing education purposes only and is not meant to substitute for the independent medical/clinical judgment of a healthcare provider relative to diagnostic and treatment options of a specific patient’s medical condition. The information presented does not necessarily reflect the views of StatPearls or any commercial supporters of educational activities on statpearls.com. StatPearls expressly disclaims responsibility for any adverse consequences resulting directly or indirectly from information in the course, for undetected error, or through a participant's misunderstanding of the content.

Unapproved Uses of Drugs/Devices: In accordance with FDA requirements, the audience is advised that information presented in this continuing education activity may contain references to unlabeled or unapproved uses of drugs or devices. Please refer to the FDA-approved package insert for each drug/device for full prescribing/utilization information.

Cancellation Policy: Please see the cancellation policy. StatPearls, LLC reserves the right to cancel any course due to unforeseen circumstances.

 

 
 

Reviews

Content is king

Sherif M. on 3/1/2021

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