A patient with penetrating cardiac trauma: A real time test of integrity in the trauma care system in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Management of penetrating cardiac trauma is a real time test of evaluating the integrity of a trauma care system.1 They have a low incidence of 0.16% as indicated by the trauma data bank of American College of Surgeons.2 Gunshot injuries, stab injuries and rarely accidental impalement are the main mechanisms of penetrating cardiac trauma. Knowledge and experience from high density trauma centers shows us that emergency transportation, quick response and proper diagnosis with urgent intervention is necessary to minimize fatalities.3 We present this rare case highlighting major challenges trauma care system in Sri Lanka faced with to deliver optimal care