[Ways of reducing mortality in injuries of the heart]

Based on an analysis of literature and 45 personal observations the authors make a conclusion that reduction of lethality following wounds of the heart can be reached by introducing certain changes into traditional approaches to the problem. In order to approximate the moment of medical aid to the victims thoracotomy for the liquidation of heart tamponade, arrest of bleeding should be performed at the place of accident or in the admission department of the hospital, even to the detriment of traditional requirements of asepsis. For the prevention and treatment of early and late complications the patients must be directed to specialized centers (thoracal departments of the hospitals). The introduction of counterpulsation of the aorta, pacemakers, auxiliary blood circulation should be considered as requirements of time.