[Transthoracic echocardiography as a diagnostic tool in patients with thoracic stab wounds: early ultrasonographic evaluation in the emergency room].

Penetrating chest trauma involving the heart is usually known with a high mortality rate. Neither the absence of hemodynamic depression nor ECG changes exclude a potential fatal injury to the heart. We report on the diagnosis and definitive treatment of a stab wound injury with transected coronary artery, concomittant ventricular penetration, and pulmonary injury.A 37-year-old female was admitted to our emergency room with multiple left-sided gashes (cheek, neck, upper extremity) and a single stab wound in the left thorax. At the scene of the accident the patient's hemodynamic condition was stable with no signs of shock or shortness of breath. Auscultation revealed regular respiratory sound on both lung sides. Hospital transfer by ground was uneventful. Chest X-ray showed left pleural effusion with no signs of pneumothorax. ECG demonstrated regular sinus rhythm without repolarization changes or low voltage. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed pericardial effusion with a swinging heart. The patient was electively intubated in the emergency room and transferred to the operating room for pericardial paracentesis. Median sternotomy was necessary due to extensive bleeding in the drain. Examination of the heart showed a laceration of the left coronary artery (LAD), left ventricle, and upper lobe of the left lung. Cardiopulmonary bypass was instituted and the LAD was ligated proximal to the penetration. The left internal thoracic artery was used for coronary revascularization of the LAD. Postoperative ECG and creatine kinase evaluations excluded myocardial ischemia. The patient was discharged from hospital at POD 10 fully recovered. Transthoracic echocardiography in the emergency room is the diagnostic tool of choice to exclude/confirm a potential cardiac injury. In the case of pericardial effusion, paracentesis sometimes followed by thoracotomy should be performed. The importance of rapid diagnosis and intervention should be emphasized to reduce mortality due to cardiac tamponade or acute myocardial infarction as illustrated by this case.