Predictors of Outcome in Penetrating Cardiac Injuries

Background: Cardiac injury is one of the most lethal injuries. The objective of this study was to determine the real amount of risk factors for penetrating cardiac injuries. Method: A retrospective review of 64 consecutive penetrating cardiac injuries treated in reference center of the biggest regional hospital from September 2002 to January 2009. Results: There were 58 men (90.6%) and 6 women (9.4%), with a mean age of 26.19 years +/- 11.68 years (range, 13-67 years). The mechanism of injury was stab wound for 57 patients and gunshot wound for the remainder. Mortality was 17.19% (11 of 64 patients). The forward stepwise multivariate logistic regression analysis of the results revealed four risk variables-two were measures of patients, age and pH, and the others were scoring systems, Trauma Injury Severity Scores and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II. The odds ratios and confidence interval of four variables are followed as 6.665 (4.213-10.544), 3.435 (2.171-5.433), 2.715 (1.716-4.295), and 2.201 (1.391-3.481), respectively. Conclusion: Our data have shown the real amount of risk variables for mortality in penetrating cardiac injuries by using binary logistic model.