Cardiac injuries revision of local experience

Abstract EN

Background : The sequel of cardiac injuries varies from benign to catastrophic ends.

In United state, traumatic injuries still the fifth cause of death (1).

It has been observed that In the prehospital period, 20 % of traumatic deaths are due to cardiac-related injuries (2). Over the last twenty years, the quick and right transportation of patients and early application of advanced life support have enabled more of injured people who were previously non-survived to arrive the hospital in a terminal shock state.

The level of suspicion and early identification of the cardiac injury is quite important.

Reliable detection, however is challenging, as there are still no diagnostic criteria for penetrating cardiac injury (3).

The following review presents an evidencebased approach to the evaluation and management of the patient who presents with thoracic injury that may involve a cardiac injury.

Patients and methods : Sixteen patients suffering from thoracic trauma and penetrating injury to the heart were retrospectively evaluated regarding the time of presentation state of presentation and the management that were done.

The relation of prehospital and hospital variation and the faith of the victims was assessed thoroughly.

Results : Of the 16 patients 4 (25 %) were presented in a stable condition and 6 (37.5 %) were in shock state, while 6 (37.5 %) in terminal stage.

The left ventricle was the injured part in 8 (50 %), while right ventricle, left atrium, right atrium , and multiple site were 3 (18.75 %), 2 (12.

5 %), 2 (12.5 %) and 1 (6.25 %) respectively .

The pulmonary injuries is the most associated injured organ 13 (81.25 %), with overall mortality of 6 (37.5 %).

Conclusions : Early transportation, early surgical intervention, and the site of injury were the main prognostic factors that affect cardiac injury outcome.