The Biomechanical Response of the Thorax to Nonpenetrating Impact with Particular Reference to Cardiac Injuries

Abstract

Sternal injury, gross cardiac pathology and cardiac dysrhythmias following nonpenetrating impact by a variety of impactors to the sternum of experimental animals [pigs] are described. The biomechanical response of the chest wall to the impact and the associated transient pressure changes within the heart are presented, and a correlation between injury severity and chest wall displacement is demonstrated. A simple model is developed to predict chest wall displacement if the mass, velocity and dimensions of an impactor are known. The model demonstrates the dependence of chest-wall displacement upon preimpact kinetic energy, impact diameter and target size.