• M A Rashid, T Wikström, and P Ortenwall.
• Department of Surgery, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Ostra, Gothenburg University, Sweden.
• Eur J Surg. 2000 Jan 1;166(1):18-21.

ObjectiveTo present our experience of cardiac injuries treated at one Swedish emergency department in the 10 years 1988-97.DesignRetrospective study.SettingTeaching hospital.Subjects11 patients (9 men and 2 women, mean age 33 years, range 19-54); in 7 they were penetrating injuries and in 4 blunt.Main Outcome MeasuresMorbidity and mortality.ResultsThe mechanisms of injury were stab wound (n = 7), and car crash, fall, boat crash, and abuse (n = 1 each); drug or alcohol misuse played a part in all those with penetrating injuries. The penetrating wounds involved the left ventricle (n = 3), the right ventricle (n = 2), and the pericardium (n = 2). All 5 patients with ventricular wounds presented with cardiac tamponade, in 1 of whom it was fatal (he bled to death during emergency thoracotomy). The main complications were anoxic brain damage and postpericardiotomy syndrome (1 each). There was no case of myocardial concussion.ConclusionOur data reflect the Swedish experience of heart trauma: there are few cases, alcohol and drug misuse is the principal risk factor, and there were no gunshot wounds.

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