PENETRATING WAR INJURIES OF THE HEART

Treatment of 12 penetrating heart war wounds were described. Ten wound ed (83.3%) died on the spot or during transportation. Only two (16.7%) were brought to the clinic with signs of life, operated on and releas ed from the hospital. The two wounded had not received any therapy bef ore the arrival. The two cases described indicate the importance of a rapid transportation, adequate reanimation and the fastest possible ca rdiorrhaphy either by means of thoracotomy or medial sternotomy.