Penetrating trauma has increased in developed and urban environments. Pulmonary artery injury is rare, but can be associated with significant morbidity. We report a case of delayed cardiac arrest following a stab injury to the chest. The patient had active great vessel bleeding and required extensive surgical intervention. Clinicians should have a high index of suspicion for life-threatening thoracic injuries following a stab injury to the chest, despite initial clinical stability or negative baseline radiological findings.
Copyright © 2012 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.