Acute management of cardiothoracic trauma

ABSTRACT

In summary, some of the common injuries seen after cardiothoracic trauma have been described and their treatment outlined. The four life-threatening injuries that require immediate diagnosis and treatment are inadequate ventilation including tension pneumothorax, exsanguinating hemorrhage, pericardial tamponade, and traumatic rupture of the aorta. Except for traumatic rupture of the aorta, all diagnoses can and should be made after rapid history and physical examination. Diagnosis and treatment must be rapid. A high index of suspicion is important for all of these injuries. Emergency thoracotomy is reserved for specific indications and must be done properly. Except for these four life-threatening problems, most patients with cardiothoracic trauma can be stabilized and managed effectively with assisted ventilation and chest tube drainage(AU)