[Incidence of stab injuries of the heart in the clinic and forensic autopsy practice. Experiences with 6 surgical procedures].

During a period when 6 patients were operated following a cardiac stab wound 4 patients survived the procedure. In 45 persons forensic autopsies were performed. The analysis of both groups elucidate that successful treatment is possible if pericardial tamponade inhibits free bleeding into the cavity of the thorax. But this situation must be treated very quickly avoiding cardiac arrest due to cardial blockage. In contrast to the autopsies in the clinical group no atrial wounds or incisions of coronary arteries were observed.