Laceration of the Liver from Closed-Chest Cardiac Massage

CLOSED-chest cardiac massage has been advocated as a simple and safe method of cardiac resuscitation.1 Thumping on the sternum with the closed fist2 or intermittent pressure on the sternum or epigastrium with the palm of the hand is said to produce a heartbeat or sustain peripheral blood pressure. Fractures of the ribs have occurred during this procedure,1 but no serious complications are reported.In the following case hepatic rupture was found at post-mortem examination of a patient on whom vigorous closed-chest cardiac massage had been attempted.Case ReportA 67-year-old man was admitted to St. Vincent's Hospital of the City . . .