[Hepatic lesions after effective external cardiac massage--an iatrogenic complication not to be overlooked].

After external cardiac massage, 3-8% of patients present potentially dangerous liver lacerations. Here we discuss the case of a patient who presented a major haemodynamic instability following external cardiac massage and thrombolytic therapy. Falsely attributed to a cardiac complication, this was actually consecutive to a hepatic haemorrhage originating from liver lacerations caused by the cardiac massage. Haemodynamic stability was obtained by reestablishing blood volume and coagulation factors. Following this the patient evolved favorably. We discuss the importance of evoking the possible existence of abdominal lacerations after external cardiac massage and the therapeutic attitude which must be adopted towards these, particularly in the light of thrombolytic therapy used in interventional cardiology and its effect on these complications.