Etymed
cardiorrhaphy
Definition
surgical suturing of the heart
Clinical context
A 23-year-old trauma patient presents with cardiac tamponade following a stab wound to the chest. Emergency surgical intervention is required to repair the cardiac injury. The surgical team performs cardiorrhaphy to suture the heart muscle and restore normal cardiac function. Post-operatively, the patient recovers with no significant complications.
Mnemonic
Cardio = heart, rhaphy = suturing - think 'heart stitching' for cardiac surgery