Bleeding from the defect in the atria controlled by digital pressure

Bleeding from the left atrial penetrating wound was noted upon displacing pericardial blood clots. The bleeding was initially controlled with digital pressure until haemodynamic stability was achieved. The defect in the atrium was repaired using two 2-0 polypropylene stitches with pledgets. All blood clots in the pericardium were removed and pericardium was repaired using 2-0 polyglactin sutures. A pericardial drain through the pericardial window in the central tendon and a sub diaphragmatic abdominal drain was left in situ.