Penetrating injuries of the heart.

The results of our 11 year retrospective study showed that, contrary to the opinion of Billroth, as proved by Williams and Von Rehn, cardiac wounds are definitely treatable, and when these patients are given early aggressive and definitive surgical care, the great majority of them should survive. Aggressive treatment, however, should not be taken to mean over resuscitation with fluids but instead means early diagnosis, relief of tamponade and definitive surgical repair.