Retrospective statistical study of cardiothoracic trauma patients in Sohag University Hospital
Ola A. Abdalrahim, Ahmed M. GadAllah, Mohamed A. Mohamed, Mohsen S. MohammedBackground and Aim
Cardiothoracic trauma is an important public health problem accounting for a substantial proportion of all trauma admissions and deaths. It directly accounts for 20–25% of deaths due to trauma. We aimed to analyze the cardiothoracic trauma patients admitted to Sohag University Hospital (a tertiary care hospital).
Patients and methods
In this retrospective descriptive hospital-based study, patients with cardiothoracic injuries were enrolled in the Cardiothoracic Department of Sohag University Hospital over a period of 3 years, beginning on 1 January 2022 to 31 December 2024.
Results
Blunt injuries predominated (64.4%), while penetrating injuries accounted for 35.6%. Road traffic accidents were the leading cause (43.2%), followed by stabbing (30.4%), falls (13.6%), and firearm injuries (5.2%). Most injuries were accidental (56.8%), with assaults in 43.2%. Moderate injuries accounted for 84.8%, and severe cases for 15.2%. Pediatric patients had longer hospital stays. Overall, 79.2% improved, complications occurred in 7.2%, and mortality was 6.4%, mainly due to myocardial rupture (56.3%), infection (25%), and respiratory failure (18.8%).
Conclusion
Cardiothoracic trauma was most common among young adult males in their productive age group. Most cases were moderate in severity, with abdominal trauma and limb fractures as the most frequently associated injuries. Most patients improved, but complications occurred in a minority, and mortality was mainly related to myocardial rupture, followed by infection and respiratory failure.