[Penetrating cardiac injuries: analysis of the mortality predictors]

Penetrating cardiac injuries are a dramatic and lethal form of trauma. Most of these patients reach the hospital already dead or in severe shock. The prognosis is determined by early diagnosis and operation. In this study, we discuss the effects of the etiology of trauma, the state of presentation in the emergency department, and the treatment approaches on the morbidity and mortality in penetrating cardiac trauma treated in our clinic.

Fifty-two patients treated due to penetrating cardiac injury were investigated retrospectively. Demographic characteristics, etiology of the injury, arrival time at the hospital, physical examination findings in the emergency room, diagnostic methods used, and surgical methods applied were determined along with the results.

The male to female ratio was 48:4, and mean age was 27.86+/-13.73. The etiology was stab injury in 46, gun shot injury in four and iatrogenic trauma in two patients. Surgery was applied in emergency condition for all cases. Cardiac injury was repaired using primary repair technique. Hospital mortality was determined as 15.4% (8 patients).

Penetrating cardiac injuries lead to shock in a very short period of time because of bleeding and/or pericardial tamponade. Early diagnosis and prompt thoracotomy are the fundamental factors affecting patient outcome after penetrating cardiac injury.