Abstract
Penetrating cardiac injuries have a high mortality rate due to serious clinical outcomes. In this study, potential postoperative complications as well as the intraoperative evaluation of penetrating cardiac injuries are reviewed. Aim of this study was to investigate the patients who underwent surgical treatment for penetrating cardiac injury in our hospital. Between April 2016 and June 2017, 8 patients who underwent surgical intervention in the Cardiovascular Surgery Clinic due to penetrating cardiac injury were evaluated retrospectively. 4 patients underwent left anterolateral thoracotomy, 3 patients underwent sternotomy and 1 patient underwent surgery with right anterolateral thoracotomy. The pericardium was opened to discharge the tamponade. After bleeding was controlled, cardiac injuries were repaired primarily by using pericardial plaget with prolene sutures. In conclusion, cardiac injuries are more common in the younger age group, but traumas can be reduced by timely and appropriate medical intervention. In order to increase survival, we believe that the intervention rooms to be formed in the emergency room are fully equipped and the in-service training programs for the auxiliary health personnel are important factors.