Parameters measuring physiologic condition, CVRS, and mechanism of injury are significant predictors of outcome in penetrating cardiac injuries. AAST-OIS injury grades I-III are rare in penetrating cardiac trauma. AAST-OIS Injury grades IV-VI are common in penetrating cardiac trauma and accurately predict outcome.

Large bowel resection, large-volume fluid resuscitation, and an increasing number of abdominal reexplorations were statistically significant predictors of ECF, EAF, or IAS in patients with an open abdomen after damage control laparotomy.

There is a high incidence of cervical spine injuries in the severe, blunt, multiple-injury, unevaluable patients requiring intensive care unit admission. Plain radiography alone is not reliable in diagnosing many cervical spine injuries. Complete cervical spiral computed tomography is superior to plain radiography. It is suggested that in this selected group of patients, both plain radiography and spiral computed tomography should be performed.