Surgical Management of Traumatic Cardiac Injury / 대한흉부외과학회지

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Traumatic cardiac injury is very rare but mortality is very high when the diagnosis and management are delayed. We reviewed our case retrospectively. MATERIAL AND METHOD: From March 1995 to July 2003, 17 patients were diagnosed as having traumatic cardiac rupture. Five patients were stabbed, seven patients were motor vehicle accidents, four patients had fallen down, and the cause was unknown in one patient. Emergency operations were done and six patients were operated under CPB. RESULT: Four patients died during or after operation. The mean ICU stay period was 3.86+/-3.35 days and the mean hospital stay was 18.27+/-14.99 days. No mortality was observed in those whose vital signs were stable in the operating room. CONCLUSION: Preoperative vital status was very important and thoracic traumatic patient should be suspected as having cardiac injury.