Penetrating Cardiac Trauma and the Role of Echocardiography: A 5-year Retrospective Study in a High-complexity Hospital

RETROSPECTIVE COHORT STUDYcountries, penetrating mechanisms, mainly gunshot and stab wounds, are more prevalent and tend to be more lethal. 7Most cases IntroductIonTrauma remains one of the leading global causes of mortality, accounting for approximately 10% of all deaths, with an even greater impact among young individuals, where it contributes to 30-40% of fatalities in this age-group. 1Among solid organ injuries, cardiac trauma holds particular clinical significance, ranking third in frequency after hepatic and splenic injuries. 2Its incidence is reported in 3-12% of severe thoracic trauma cases, depending on the studied population and diagnostic tools employed. 3ardiac trauma is associated with a high mortality rate, estimated between 20 and 40%, primarily influenced by injury severity and time to definitive medical intervention.Morbidity is also substantial and often related to complications such as cardiac tamponade, arrhythmias, heart failure, and cardiogenic shock. 4iagnostic and therapeutic delays are directly linked to increased mortality, underscoring the need for prompt recognition and timely surgical or medical management. 5he epidemiology of cardiac trauma varies considerably between regions.In high-income countries, blunt mechanisms predominate, particularly motor vehicle collisions (40-50%), falls, and sports-related injuries. 6Conversely, in low-and middle-income