Injuries to the heart.

During a 12-year period, 36 patients with cardiac injuries were recorded. Nine suffered penetrating injuries, nine blunt ruptures and 18 contusions. Only two patients with blunt rupture survived, in contrast to six out of seven patients with stab wounds to the heart. This reflects that heart stabs are easier to diagnose than blunt ruptures, and that the associated injuries are the most important factor for survival in patients with blunt injuries. All clinical manifestations of the heart injuries were present within the first 12 h. Cardiac monitoring of haemodynamically stable patients beyond this period may not be necessary.