1) Why was this study conducted?

To delineate our experience in the surgical management of penetrating cardiac injuries via the creation of a clear and practical algorithm that includes basic principles of damage control surgery

2) What were the most relevant results of the study?

All patients with precordial penetrating injuries should undergo trans-thoracic ultrasound screening as an integral component of their initial evaluation. In those patients who arrive hemodynamically stable but have a positive ultrasound, a pericardial window with lavage and drainage should follow. However, in hemodynamically unstable patients, damage control surgerymay still be required to control ongoing bleeding.

3) What do these results contribute?

We have developed a clinical algorithm that illustrates the five steps involved in the surgical management of patients with penetrating precordial injuries.