[Stab injuries of the heart--an indication for thoracotomy]

The indication for thoracotomy is undisputed with gaping wounds and massive hemorrhage. Pericardial tamponade, however, can develop with discrete stab wounds. Since valuable time is lost during management of superficial wounds, the success of cardiac wound revision, which is usually possible without a pump-oxygenator, is limited due to the tamponade-related reduction of cerebral perfusion and subsequent ischemic brain damage. Exploratory thoracotomy, the risks from which are small compared to those from pericardial tamponade, is generally indicated for stab wounds of the heart.