Simultaneous penetrating wounds of the myocardium and aorta caused by firearms: surgical treatment.

The frequency of trauma and penetrating wounds ofthe heart and the great intrathoracic vessels is continuouslyincreasing. In peacetime heart wounds constituteabout 3% of all penetrating wounds of thechest. About 40% of patients with penetrating woundsof the heart reach hospital alive. If these patientsundergo an immediate pericardiocentesis and operationthey have an 80-90% chance of survival. In astudy of cases of penetrating gunshot wounds of theheart and aorta 31 patients died immediately whilefive survived for at least 30 minutes (Parmley et al,1958).We present a case of simultaneous penetrating gunshotwounds of the myocardium and thoracic aortawhen the patient survived more than 30 minutes andwas successfully treated surgically. Repeated assessmentduring the four years since the injury has notshown any late complications.