A pilot experimental study of a catheter to facilitate treatment for penetrating cardiac injury.

BACKGROUND/AIM Penetrating heart injuries result in high mortality. We designed a new catheter to facilitate the treatment of penetrating cardiac injuries and provide more effective initial bleeding control and fluid replacement. MATERIALS AND METHODS The cardiac injury model was applied to 8 female 1-year-old Sus domesticus pigs. Subjects were grouped according to whether a Foley catheter or a newly designed catheter was placed into the heart through cardiac lacerations. Changes in systolic blood pressures, mortality, and problems encountered during surgery and other intraoperative findings were recorded. RESULTS There were higher mean blood pressure measurements in the newly designed catheter group during stages IV to VII. All subjects had tamponade and cardiac activity after completion of the repair of all lacerations in the catheter group, whereas in the other group only one subject did. Intraoperative direct fluid infusion to the heart through the catheters in the diastole was performed in all subjects of both groups. However, regurgitation from the cardiac cavity in the systole was seen only in the Foley catheter group. All of the intraoperative complications were seen in the same group.