The most important factor that influences the outcome of penetrating cardiac injuries is:: (A) Comminuted tear of a single chamber., (B) Multiple-chamber injuries, (C) Coronary artery injury., (D) Tangential injuries.
Answer is C. Multiple studies in the literature confirm that injuries to the coronary arteries are the most important factor in determining outcome after a penetrating cardiac injury. Tangential injuries are the least serious. Injury to a single chamber—even if comminuted—or to multiple chambers is less likely to be fatal than are injuries that involve a major coronary artery.