Abstract
Background
Penetrating cardiac injuries in pediatric patients are rarely encountered. Likewise,
the in-hospital outcome measures following these injuries are poorly described.
Methods
All pediatric patients (<18 years) sustaining penetrating cardiac injuries between 1/2000 and 12/2010 were retrospectively
identified using the trauma registry of an urban level I trauma center. Demographic
and admission variables, operative findings, and hospital course were extracted. Outpatient
follow-up data were obtained through chart reviews and cardiac-specific imaging studies.
Results
During the 11-year study period, 32 of the 4569 pediatric trauma admissions (0.7%)
sustained penetrating cardiac injuries. All patients were male and the majority suffered
stab wounds (81.2%). The mean systolic blood pressure on admission was 28.8±52.9 mmHg and the mean ISS was 46.9±27.7. Cardiac chambers involved were the right ventricle (46.9%), the left ventricle
(43.8%), and the right atrium (18.8%). Overall, 9 patients (28.1%) survived to hospital
discharge. Outpatient follow-up echocardiography was available for 4 patients (44.4%).
An abnormal echocardiography result was found in 1 patient, demonstrating hypokinesia
and tricuspid regurgitation.
Conclusions
Penetrating cardiac trauma is a rare injury in the pediatric population. Cardiac chambers
predominantly involved are the right and left ventricles. This injury is associated
with a low in-hospital survival (<30%).
Key words
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
August 17,
2012
Received in revised form:
August 15,
2012
Received:
May 21,
2012
Footnotes
☆The authors declare no conflict of interest with regard to this manuscript. No competing financial interests exist.
Identification
Copyright
© 2013 Elsevier Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
