Penetrating mine injury to the heart with a pericardial tamponade

Cardiac tamponade is a life-threatening emergency. Immediate recognition and surgical intervention is essential to preserve myocardial function and maintain cardiac output. The following is a case report of a penetrating mine injury to the heart with a resulting pericardial tamponade. The positive outcome and the facilities in which the resuscitation and surgical repair occurred make this a unique case report.