Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences

Published by : PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL PUBLICATIONS

ISSN 1681-715X

HOME   |   SEARCH   |   CURRENT ISSUE   |   PAST ISSUES

-

ORIGINAL ARTICLE

-

Volume 26

July - September 2010

Number  3


 

PDF of this Article

Management of penetrating heart and
accompanying lung injuries

Hasan Ekim1, Halil Basel2, Dolunay Odabasi3,
Mustafa Tuncer4, Hasan Ali Gumrukcuoglu5

ABSTRACT

Objective: Penetrating heart injury is potentially a life threatening condition due to cardiac tamponade or exsanguinating hemorrhage. The aim of this study was to evaluate victims who were referred to our hospital with penetrating heart and accompanying lung injuries and to review our overall outcome with this type of combined injuries.

Methodology: Twenty patients with combined penetrating heart and lung injuries were operated at Yuzuncu Yil University Research Hospital, between May 1999 and January 2010. The diagnosis of combined heart and lung injuries was proved by surgical exploration in all cases. The surgical procedures mainly included the relief of cardiac tamponade, control of bleeding, repair of cardiac and pulmonary lacerations, and coronary artery bypass grafting if required.

Results: In this series of 20 patients; there were 18 males and two females between the age of 14 to 60 years, with a mean age of 34.8±13.5 years. Seventeen victims sustained stab wounds, and the remaining three were injured by a gunshot wounds. In 20 patients there were 22 cardiac chamber injuries. The most commonly injured cardiac chamber was the right ventricle followed by the left ventricle. In addition to the injuries to heart muscle, injuries to the coronary arteries were found in two patients. The most commonly injured lung lobe was the left upper lobe.

Conclusion: Our experience shows that early diagnosis and immediate surgical intervention are the main factors affecting patient survival after penetrating heart and lung injuries. Therefore, heart injury should always be kept in mind in victims with penetrating thoracic injuries.

KEY WORDS: Cardiac Injury, Penetrating.

Pak J Med Sci    July - September 2010    Vol. 26 No. 3    526-531

How to cite this article:

Ekim H, Basel H, Odabasi D, Tuncer M, Gumrukcuoglu HA. Management of penetrating heart and accompanying lung injuries. Pak J Med Sci 2010;26(3):526-531


1. Hasan Ekim, MD,
2. Halil Basel, MD,
3. Dolunay Odabasi, MD,
4. Mustafa Tuncer, MD,
Department of Cardiology,
Yuzuncu Yil University,
Van, Turkey
5. Hasan Ali Gumrukcuoglu, MD,
Department of Cardiology,
Van Yuksek Ihtisas Hastanesi,
Van, Turkey
1-3: Department of Cardiovascular Surgery,
Yuzuncu Yil University,
Van, Turkey.

Correspondence:

Dr. Hasan Ekim,
Yuzuncu Yil University,
Tip Fakultesi Hastanesi,
Maras Caddesi 65200 Van,
Turkey
E-Mail: drhasanekim@yahoo.com

* Received for Publication: February 7, 2010

* Accepted: April 8, 2010



HOME   |   SEARCH   |   CURRENT ISSUE   |   PAST ISSUES

Professional Medical Publications
Room No. 522, 5th Floor, Panorama Centre
Building No. 2, P.O. Box 8766, Saddar, Karachi - Pakistan.
Phones : 5688791, 5689285 Fax : 5689860
pjms@pjms.com.pk