cardiac tamponade (pericardial tamponade)
Compression of the heart as the result of buildup of blood or other fluid in the pericardial sac, leading to decreased cardiac output.
closed chest injury
An injury to the chest in which the skin is not broken, usually caused by blunt trauma.
commotio cordis
A blunt chest injury caused by a sudden, direct blow to the chest that occurs only during the critical portion of a person’s heartbeat.
flail chest
A condition in which two or more adjacent ribs are fractured in two or more places or in association with a fracture of the sternum so that a segment of the chest wall is effectively detached from the rest of the thoracic cage.
flutter valve
A one-way valve that allows air to leave the chest cavity but not return; formed by taping three sides of an occlusive dressing to the chest wall, leaving the fourth side open as a valve; may also be part of a commercial vented occlusive dressing.
hemopneumothorax
The accumulation of blood and air in the pleural space of the chest.
hemothorax
A collection of blood in the pleural cavity.
myocardial contusion
Bruising of the heart muscle.
open chest injury
An injury to the chest in which the chest wall itself is penetrated by a fractured rib or, more frequently, by an external object such as a bullet or knife.
open pneumothorax
An open or penetrating chest wall wound through which air passes during inspiration and expiration, creating a sucking sound; also referred to as a sucking chest wound.
paradoxical motion
The motion of the portion of the chest wall that is detached in a flail chest; the motion—in during inhalation, out during exhalation—is exactly the opposite of normal chest wall motion during breathing.
pericardium
The fibrous sac that surrounds the heart.
pneumothorax
An accumulation of air or gas in the pleural cavity.
pulmonary contusion
Injury or bruising of lung tissue that results in hemorrhage.
simple pneumothorax
Any pneumothorax that is free from significant physiologic changes and does not cause drastic changes in the vital signs of the patient.
spontaneous pneumothorax
A pneumothorax that occurs when a weak area on the lung ruptures in the absence of major injury, allowing air to leak into the pleural space.
sucking chest wound
An open or penetrating chest wall wound through which air passes during inspiration and expiration, creating a sucking sound. See also open pneumothorax.
tachypnea
Rapid respirations.
tension pneumothorax
An accumulation of air or gas in the pleural cavity that progressively increases pressure in the chest that interferes with cardiac function with potentially fatal results.
traumatic asphyxia
A pattern of severe injuries seen after a severe force is applied to the chest, forcing blood from the great vessels back into the head and neck
vented chest seal
An occlusive dressing designed to allow air to escape through the dressing but not be drawn back in
