• Mehmet Uludağ, Gürkan Yetkin, Fevzi Celayir, Bülent Citgez, Can Başaran, and Adil Baykan.
• Department of 2nd General Surgery, Sişli Etfal Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey. drmuludag@hotmail.com
• Ulus Travma Acil Cer. 2007 Jul 1;13(3):199-204.

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to evaluate our clinical findings and results of cardiac injuries.MethodsWe reviewed the records of patients who were admitted to our clinic between 1996 and 2005 and operated due to penetrating cardiac injury.ResultsEighteen patients (17 male, one female; mean age 25.9; range 17-45 years) (all penetrating stab wounds) with cardiac injuries were operated. The clinical aspects were: agonal status in 5 patients (27.8%), profound shock in 7 patients (38.9%). The remaining 6 patients (33.3%) were in mild shock (hypotension 60-90 mmHg) and 3 of them (16.7%) had a diagnosis of cardiac tamponade preoperatively. Emergency room thoracotomy was made in 2 patients (11.1%). Mortality rate was %80 in agonal patients whereas overall mortality was 44.5%.ConclusionCardiac injuries have high mortality. The mortality rate of the patients, who can arrive to the hospital alive, is closely related to the vital signs and general condition. The mortality can be reduced by quick evaluation and prompt surgical intervention.

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