title: Penetrating cardiac injuries.
abstract: Penetrating cardiac injuries pose a tremendous challenge to any trauma surgeon. Time, sound judgment, aggressive intervention, and surgical technique are the most important factors contributing to positive outcomes. This article extensively reviews the history, surgical management, and techniques needed to deal with these critical injuries. This year commemorates the one hundredth anniversary of the first successful repair of a cardiac injury.
authors.affiliation: Los Angeles County/University of Southern California Medical Center, USA.
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Asensio
authors.forename: B M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Stewart
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Murray
authors.forename: A H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Fox
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Falabella
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Gomez
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ortega
authors.forename: C B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Fuller
authors.forename: M D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Kerstein
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002305:Cardiac Tamponade; D003250:Constriction; D004452:Echocardiography; D006335:Heart Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D010491:Pericardial Window Techniques; D013908:Thoracotomy; D014950:Wounds, Penetrating / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*