Objective:
Penetrating cardiac injuries have high mortality rates due to serious clinical outcomes. This study was planned to evaluate patients with penetrating cardiac injury.
Material and methods:
We reviewed the records of patients who were operated because of penetrating cardiac injuries in Department of Thoracic Surgery, Ministry of Health Ankara Training and Research Hospital between January 2005- December 2009.
Result:
Among those patients, 11 cases (64.8%) were stab (perforating device) injury, 6 cases were gunshot (35.2%). In 8 cases right atrium, in 4 cases left ventricle, in 3 cases right atrium and in 2 cases left atrium injuries were present. Emergent surgery was performed in all patients and cardiac injuries were repaired.
Conlusion:
The rapid transport, properly resuscitation and emergent surgery was improved sur-vival in patients sustained penetrating cardiac injuries.
Keywords: Heart injuries, penetrating injuries, stab wounds
