The most impoant factor that influences the outcome of penetrating cardiac injuries is
Comminuted tear of a single chamber
Multiple-chamber injuries
Coronary aery injury
Tangential injuries
Multiple studies in the literature confirm that injuries to the coronary aeries are the most impoant factor in determining outcome after a penetrating cardiac injury. Tangential injuries are the least serious. Injury to a single chamber--even if comminuted--or to multiple chambers is less likely to be fatal than are injuries that involve a major coronary aery. ref - Harrisons 20th ed
C.V.S