Penetrating cardiac injuries in Belgium: 20 years of experience in university hospitals in Brussels.
BACKGROUND
Cardiac wounds remain as highly lethal lesions in which their prognosis depends on the emergency management.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study is to analyse experiences of cardiac surgeons in different hospitals in Brussels and compare it with the findings in the literature.


METHODS
From 1st January 1990 till 1st December 2010, all penetrating cardiac wounds in three Brussels hospitals were retrospectively reviewed. Data recorded included clinical parameters, surgical constatation and outcome.


RESULTS
A total of fourteen (12 male/2 female) patients sustained penetrating cardiac injuries. There were thirteen patients (93%) with stabs wounds and, one patient (7%) with gunshot wound. Wound locations are as follows: ten patients (71%) right ventricle, three patients (22%) the pericardium, and one patient (7%) the left ventricle. The hemodynamic status was unstable in nine patients (64%), in-extremis in two patients (14%) and stable in three patients (22%). The mean Abbreviate Injury Score was 4.6 and the mean New Injury Severity Score was 31. Thirteen patients (93%) had operations (11 sternotomie, 2 thoracotomies). Two patients required cardiopulmonary bypass. Three patients (22%) died.


CONCLUSIONS
Penetrating cardiac wounds are relatively rare in Belgium, which is mainly due to stabs and with consequent mortality. The implementation of clear guidelines is necessary to improve survival.
Department of Cardiac Surgery, CHU Saint Pierre Brussels ; 2Department of Surgery, Douala Faculty Medicine ; 'Department of Cardiology CHU Ixelles, Brussels; 4Department of Cardiac Surgery ; CHU Brugmann, Brussels. willyngatchou@yahoo.fr
W
W
Ngatchou
I
I
Surdeanu
A S E
AS
Ramadan
B
B
Essola
P
P
Youatou
V
V
Guimfacq
P
P
Wauty
P
P
Mols
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001530:Belgium / Q000453:epidemiology; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006335:Heart Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000601:surgery; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000293:injuries; D006785:Hospitals, University / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010496:Pericardium / Q000293:injuries; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014505:Urban Population; D014951:Wounds, Stab / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000601:surgery; D055815:Young Adult