Cardiac Trauma in Children

Although major penetrating or blunt cardiac trauma is rare in children, severe sequelae may result if patients are not managed in a thorough and systematic manner. Injuries may be immediately evident but, occasionally, may not be apparent for hours or days. Few sources describe pediatric cardiac trauma in detail. This article will discuss the epidemiology, physiology, diagnosis, and management of penetrating and blunt cardiac trauma in the pediatric patient.