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Transfixing heart injury by stab wound: Case report
Gabriela Tulio Struck1, Jacqueline Justino Nabhen1, Helder Augusto Soek1
1Universidade Federal do Paraná (UFPR) - Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil.
Insights
Successful surgical intervention for cardiac impalement, a rare and often fatal injury, is possible with prompt recognition and management. This case highlights effective prehospital care, surgical treatment, and postoperative recovery for left ventricular transfixation.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Surgery
- Trauma Surgery
- Emergency Medicine
Background:
- Cardiac impalement is a critical injury with high mortality.
- Prompt diagnosis and surgical intervention are vital for survival.
- This report details a unique case of cardiac impalement involving the left ventricle.
Observation:
- A patient presented with cardiac impalement resulting in left ventricular transfixation.
- Prehospital management was initiated immediately following the injury.
- The patient underwent timely surgical repair and received comprehensive postoperative care.
Findings:
- The case demonstrates successful management of a severe cardiac impalement.
- Surgical intervention effectively addressed the left ventricular transfixation.
- The patient experienced a positive postoperative recovery trajectory.
Implications:
- This case underscores the importance of rapid prehospital assessment and transport in cardiac trauma.
- It highlights the feasibility of successful surgical outcomes even in severe cardiac impalement injuries.
- Effective multidisciplinary care pathways can improve survival rates for patients with cardiac impalement.
Abstract:
Cardiac impalement is a rare and usually fatal injury. Immediate recognition and surgical intervention are decisive factors for patient survival. This is a reported case of cardiac impalement with left ventricular transfixation, whose prehospital management, surgical treatment and postoperative care were successful.
