1Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Jabir Ibn Hayyan Medical University, Najaf, Iraq
2Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgeon, Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Najaf Health Directorate, Al-Sadder Teaching Medical City, Najaf, Iraq
*Corresponding Author Dr Ahmed Muhi Fahad, Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Najaf Health Directorate, Al-Sadder Teaching Medical City, 54001, Najaf, Iraq, Email: ayam.mohammad@yahoo.com
Online published on 6 March, 2023.
The penetrating injuries to the heart are one of the lethal causes of life. The surviving depends on rabid detection and interventional operation urgently.
Sixteen patients with penetrating cardiac injury were operated between 2013 and 2017. Twelve patients with bullet injuries, while the remaining four were stabbed. Patients age ranged from 7 to 60 years (mean 26.6 years). Time that required to brought patients to the emergency department was between 1 hr up to 48 hrs after injuries. Clinically, patients divided into three groups: table group, shocked group and agonal group.
Left thoracotomy was done in ten patients, while median sternotomy done in five. Only one case operated through right thoracotomy because of massive air leak in right injured lung. Cardiorrhaphy done for 15 patients, while the remaining patients need a pericardial patch. The most common involved site of injuries was left ventricle. Pulmonary injuries were the most common associated injuries (81.25%). Two patients had an associated intra-abdominal injury (12.5%). Sternal fractures reported in three patients. Six patients in our study died (Mortality rate: 37.5%).
Long time of arrival and few little necessary equipment to quick intervention are the main reasons for low surviving number of patients with penetrating cardiac injuries. We must treating cardiac injuries urgently and vigorously.
Cardiac Injuries, Cardiorrhaphy, Thoracostomy, Penetrating injuries
