Resuscitation
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To analyse how rescuers tolerate the effort derived of giving uninterrupted chest compressions during 2min. ⋯ The practice of uninterrupted chest compressions during 2min by the same rescuer is well tolerated by health professionals trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
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We report a case of blunt trauma leading to pulseless electrical activity (PEA) cardiac arrest that was successfully managed with emergency department thoracotomy. While the literature suggests an almost universally poor outcome from this clinical situation, in this case the patient survived with full neurological recovery. ⋯ These were an arrest rhythm of sinus-based PEA, non-dilated reactive pupils and a short period of cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The case illustrates that in certain circumstances, emergency thoracotomy may not be futile after blunt trauma causing cardiac arrest.
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Editorial Comment
Training in trauma care moves on--the European Trauma Course.