Non-iatrogenic trauma of the coronary arteries and myocardium: contribution of angiography--report of six cases and literature review.

Six patients with coronary and myocardial trauma had selective coronary arteriography and left ventriculography. Of these, three patients with penetrating cardiac trauma presented with an occlusion of one coronary artery, including one fistula. Of three patients with blunt chest trauma, normal coronary arteries were observed in one patient, and obstruction of one artery in another; repeat coronary arteriography showed resolution of the previous obstruction in one patient. A review of the last 15 years of experience summarizes 38 angiography reports after coronary artery trauma. An analysis of the angiographic aspect of coronary artery damage is considered as an aid to understanding the traumatic lesion, its causes and its manifestations under the conditions of total or partial parietal damage of the artery, or parietal integrity.