Surgical Resolution of Penetrating Cardiac Injury: A Case Report of a Serrated Knife Blade Blow

Abstract

Severe cardiac injuries, such as blunt or penetrating injuries caused by bladed weapons, require early diagnosis, usually by electrocardiography, tomography, and Focused Assessment With Sonography in Trauma (FAST). This study describes a case of penetrating cardiac trauma successfully treated by surgical intervention. During surgery, the medical team identified a serrated knife blade in the anterior chest wall, associated with a rib fracture and pericardial injury, without compromising the diaphragm. The patient had a positive outcome after the intervention. Effective management of these injuries depends on understanding the trauma mechanism and the patient’s characteristics, allowing for a rapid response and potentially life-saving therapies.