Knife to Meet You, Embedded and Endangered: A Case Report of Hemopericardium from Penetrating Chest Trauma

Penetrating chest trauma carries a high risk of life-threatening complications, requiring rapid assessment and intervention. We present a 42-year-old male with a stab wound to the sternum, complicated by a retained foreign body and hemopericardium. The injury sustained is classified grade IV - based on the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST) heart injury scale. Despite hemodynamic instability, early imaging revealed a mediastinal hematoma without active bleeding. The patient underwent emergency sternotomy for foreign body removal, preventing potential cardiac tamponade. Postoperative recovery was uneventful with minimal ventilatory and inotropic support. This case underscores the importance of early imaging, timely surgical intervention, and a multidisciplinary approach in managing penetrating cardiac injuries to improve survival and long-term outcomes.