KUMJ | VOL. 9 | NO. 1 | ISSUE 33 | JAN-MARCH, 2011

Impalement Injury to The Heart
Pradhan S, Sapkota R, Shrestha U K, Amatya R, Koirala B


Abstract:
Cardiac impalement injury is rare and one of the most severe penetrating chest injuries, often fatal. The management of penetrating cardiac injuries is a challenging one. The success in management of impaling cardiac trauma requires stabilization of the impaling object, expeditious transfer to a facility for open heart surgery, rapid imaging, access to blood and blood products and a ready surgical team. We report a case of impalement injury to the heart by a stick, transfixing the right ventricle and its successful treatment.

Keyword : Impalement injury, Penetrating cardiac injury, Cardiac injury, Cardiac impalement