Suspicion of penetrating cardiac injury: Curing or caring?

Abstract

Identifying penetrating cardiac injury in hemodynamically stable patients can be challenging especially when the patient has no signs of cardiac tamponade and no pericardial effusion identified on transthoracic echocardiography. In this case report, we discuss both penetrating cardiac injuries diagnosis algorithm and treatment strategies. At present, it is difficult to refer to general guidelines transposable from one center to another. We report the paramount importance of multidisciplinary management with experienced teams to face any possible pitfalls in traumatology especially in the context of penetrating cardiac injury.

Keywords

• cardiac trauma
• chest computed tomography
• focused assessment with sonography for trauma
• penetrating cardiac injury