ABSTRACT
Penetrating cardiac injuries have high mortality rates due to serious clinical outcomes. This study was planned to evaluate patients with penetrating cardiac injury.
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.
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.
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