title: [Penetrating cardiac injuries].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to evaluate our clinical findings and results of cardiac injuries.
  
  
  METHODS
  We reviewed the records of patients who were admitted to our clinic between 1996 and 2005 and operated due to penetrating cardiac injury.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eighteen patients (17 male, one female; mean age 25.9; range 17-45 years) (all penetrating stab wounds) with cardiac injuries were operated. The clinical aspects were: agonal status in 5 patients (27.8%), profound shock in 7 patients (38.9%). The remaining 6 patients (33.3%) were in mild shock (hypotension 60-90 mmHg) and 3 of them (16.7%) had a diagnosis of cardiac tamponade preoperatively. Emergency room thoracotomy was made in 2 patients (11.1%). Mortality rate was %80 in agonal patients whereas overall mortality was 44.5%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cardiac injuries have high mortality. The mortality rate of the patients, who can arrive to the hospital alive, is closely related to the vital signs and general condition. The mortality can be reduced by quick evaluation and prompt surgical intervention.
authors.affiliation: Department of 2nd General Surgery, Sişli Etfal Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey. drmuludag@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Mehmet
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Uludağ
authors.forename: Gürkan
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Yetkin
authors.forename: Fevzi
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Celayir
authors.forename: Bülent
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Citgez
authors.forename: Can
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Başaran
authors.forename: Adil
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Baykan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004638:Emergency Treatment; D005260:Female; D006335:Heart Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D008297:Male; D008499:Medical Records; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012769:Shock; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology; D014950:Wounds, Penetrating / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery