J Cardiovasc Surg
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This study evaluates factors influencing survival in 285 battle cardiac injuries, treated in Lebanon from 1969 to 1982. Survival factors included age (mean 18 years), transportation lag (mean distance 2 miles), wounding agents (shrapnel, gunshot), hospital logistics, and early surgical treatment. The overall survival was 73% (208 patients) compared to 60% from World War II and 67% from recent civilian report. ⋯ Survival was best in the 9 patients with coronary vessel wounds (100%), atrial wounds 80% (56 survivors) but dropped to 46% (17 survivors) in left ventricular injury reflecting pump failure, and 51% (19 survivors) in multiple cardiac wounds. The causes of cardiac mortality and survivor follow-up were evaluated. The study indicates that despite predetermined factors overall survival is significantly improved by early transportation, precise logistics, and urgent surgery.
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Paraplegia has been a devastating and unpredictable complication following cross-clamping of the thoracic aorta. In this study, the effect of the pressure gradient between the aortic pressure distal to occlusion and cerebrospinal fluid pressure (CSFP), defined as relative spinal cord perfusion pressure (RSPP), on the development of spinal cord injury was investigated. In 32 mongrel dogs, the thoracic aorta just distal to the left subclavian artery was cross-clamped. ⋯ The incidence of postoperative paraplegia was 0% in Groups I and V, 33% in Group III, 50% in Group VI and 100% in Groups II and IV. This study showed that RSPP plays an important role in the development of spinal cord injury during cross-clamping of the thoracic aorta. Therefore, RSPP should be maintained at as high a level as possible in order to prevent spinal cord injury even if SEP disappear during aortic occlusion.