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Penetrating cardiac injuries: clinical classification and management strategy
R Saadia1, R D Levy, E Degiannis
1Department of Surgery, Baragwanath Hospital, Johannesburg, South Africa.
The British Journal of Surgery
|November 1, 1994
Abstract:
The management of penetrating cardiac injury is controversial. To facilitate decision making, a simple clinical classification of patients with such an injury is proposed. Five categories are considered: (1) lifeless, (2) critically unstable, (3) cardiac tamponade, (4) thoracoabdominal injury and (5) benign presentation. Investigation, if indicated, and the timing and setting of surgical intervention are discussed for each category.