Penetrating and Nonpenetrating Cardiac Injuries Combined with Cardiac Tamponade. - Report of seven cases and Clinical analysis -

심낭압진이 동반된 관통성 및 비관통성 심장외상 - 7례 보고 및 임상분-

We experienced the seven cases of penetrating and non-penetrating cardiac injuries combined with cardiac tamponade from June 1986 to June 1989 at Seoul and Chun-An Hospital of SOONCHUNHYANG medical college. The results were as follows. l. In sex distribution, 7 cases were male. In age distribution, The fourth decades occupied about 58 % of all cases. 2. In mode of injury, 4 cases were stab wounds, 1 case penetration by metallic fragment, 2 cases blunt chest trauma. 3. We routinely checked the CVP with subclavian vein catheterization in case of suspicious cardiac tamponade. Significant increments were showed in 4 cases. 4. Becks triad [low blood pressure, raised central venous pressure, distant heart sound] were recorded in 43 % of the cases with proven tamponades. 5. The sites of injury included RV in 4 cases, LV in 1 case, RA in 1 case and branch of RCA in 1 case. The RV injuries were the most common. 6. Coronary artery damage occurred in 2 cases. LADA was severed in 1 case combined with RV rupture and branch of RCA was torn 1 case. 7. Pericardiocentesis was performed 1 case at another hospital before referring to our hospital. We have never used the procedure because we think that it is potentially dangerous with no clear benefit. 8. Subxyphoid pericardial window was performed in 2 cases of severe cardiac tamponade. We have employed this method to stabilize the patients who had systolic hypotension. 9. Surgical approaches were performed with median sternotomy in 3 cases, thoracotomy in 4 cases. 10. We undertook the simple closure in 6 penetrating cardiac wounds. The removal of impacted metallic fragment was performed under the cardiopulmonary bypass. Simple ligation was performed in 2 cases of coronary artery severance 11. One patient with no sign of life was urgently intubated and undertaken an emergency room thoracotomy on the stretch car without antiseptic preparation. The cardiorrhaphy in 6 cases were performed in the operating theater 12. One patient undertaken emergency room thoracotomy did not survive due to refractory hypovolemic shock. But the remaining 6 patients recovered.