[Heart injuries]

Operations were carried out on 32 patients with injuries to the heart and pericardium during a period of 14 years. The pericardium was injured in 7 patients. All fatal cases were brought to the clinic in the first 30 minutes after the accident. Seven patients died after operation. The late results were studied in 22 patients in follow-up periods of 12 months to 14 years. The results were excellent and good in 20 patients and satisfactory in 2 patients. Poor results were not encountered. The capacity for work was restored in 21 patients.