Cardiac trauma with gunshot injuries.

Penetrating cardiac injuries, secondary to gunfire, constitute the most lethal forms of cardiothoracic trauma with their potential fatality. We report our experience of managing two such cases who presented with haemorrhagic shock and cardiac tamponade, in a collapsed state. Prompt resuscitation and early surgical intervention (midline sternotomy and cardiorrhaphy) was successfully performed with a favourable outcome.