Penetrating injury to the cardiac box.

Background: A penetrating injury to the "cardiac box" is thought to be predictive of an injury to the heart; however, there is very little evidence available to support this association. This study aims to evaluate the relationship between penetrating trauma to the cardiac box and a clinically significant injury.

Methods: All patients presenting to a Level I trauma center from January 2009 to June 2015 who sustained a penetrating injury isolated to the thorax were retrospectively identified.