Herz- und thorakale Gefäßverletzungen

Injuries to the heart and the intrathoracic vessels involve a high mortality rate. The outcome depends on the concomitant injuries sustained and the quality of primary care, and also on the options available in the care centre. Aetiology, incidence, diagnostic and therapeutic algorithms, and surgical approaches and methods, including endovascular repair of aortic ruptures, are described. At the Hanover Medical School 41 patients (39 male, 2 female) aged 8–83 (mean 38) years were treated for penetrating heart or vascular injuries from 1997 to 2004. The 30-day mortality was 9.8%.