Predicting mortality in penetrating cardiac trauma in developing countries through a new classification: Validation...

Penetrating chest trauma (PCT) represents 10% of worldwide mortality, with developing countries counting as some of the most affected by high mortality rates due to cardiac trauma. Colombia is considered one of the most violent countries due to the high mortality rate associated with war and crime, hence the validation of an own classification for penetrating cardiac injuries (PCI) is mandatory.

Retrospective cross-sectional study which included adult patients with PCIs at a level 4 trauma center in Colombia, between January 2018 and April 2020. We used our own system (Bogotá Classification) and compared it with traditional systems (e.g., Ivatury's, OIS-AAST), by analyzing the mechanism of injury (MOI), the hemodynamic status of the patient at admission, the inpatient management, the individual outcomes, and some demographic variables. Bivariate statistical analysis, spearman correlation, and logistic regression were performed.

Four hundred and ninety-nine patients were included. Bivariate analysis demonstrated a significant relationship between mortality and hemodynamic state, MOI, its location and degree of lesion, cardiac/vessel injury, cardiac tamponade, time between injury and medical care, fluid reanimation, as well as the Ivatury's classification and the new classification (p < 0.005). The adequate correlation between Ivatury's and Bogotá classification supports the latter's clinical utility for patients presenting with PCI. Likewise, logistic regression showed a statistically significant association among mortality rates (p < 0.005).

The Bogotá classification showed similar performance to the Ivatury's classification, correlating most strongly with mortality. This scale could be replicated in countries with similar social and economic contexts.