Cardiac trauma most commonly occurs after a motor vehicle accident, after a high fall, or after a crushing injury. The force directly damages the heart due to the maximal distension of the ventricular chambers during diastole, the indirect force causes a sudden increase in cardiac preload from the vena cava and extremity veins. The deceleration mechanism (due to inertia) can tear the heart valves, myocardium, and coronary arteries.

The mortality rate from cardiac injuries is approximately 15-30%, mainly due to acute blood loss or acute cardiac tamponade. Therefore, accurate diagnosis, prognosis and timely and appropriate treatment for patients with cardiac injuries are decisive factors in the ability to save the patient's life.