# Blunt cardiac rupture of left ventricular apex without external chest injury in a young man: a case report

## TL;DR

A young man died from a cardiac rupture after a physical fight, even without chest injuries, highlighting rare causes of heart damage.

## Contribution

This case report presents a rare instance of left ventricular rupture without external chest trauma in a young individual.

## Key findings

- Cardiac rupture occurred without external chest injury following a physical altercation.
- Factors like sudden force, cardiac cycle, chest wall compliance, and alcohol consumption were considered relevant.
- No other plausible cause for death was identified besides the cardiac rupture.

## Abstract

Cardiac rupture in blunt cardiac injuries, though uncommon, can be fatal. A particularly rare occurrence is blunt cardiac rupture of the left ventricle without external chest injury. Herein, we report a case of cardiac rupture without external chest injuries in a 21-year-old man who died after a physical altercation. The cause of death was attributed to cardiac rupture caused by blunt force. We analysed the differential diagnoses of cardiac rupture with intact pericardium, including cardiac diseases, blunt chest injury, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and Takotsubo cardiomyopathy. Additionally, we discussed the relevant factors for cardiac rupture in this case, including sudden enormous force, cardiac cycle, chest wall compliance, and alcohol consumption. Furthermore, we highlighted that no explicable cause other than cardiac rupture accounted for the death.