Objective: To expose and clarify indications, techniques, results, complications and cost for open chest cardiopulmonary resuscitation manoeuvres (OCCRM) in traumatic or nontraumatic cardiac arrest.
Data sources: References were obtained from Pubmed data bank using the following keywords: "emergency thoracotomy", "resuscitative thoracotomy".
Study selection: We focused on publications in English language, from 2000 to 2007.
Data synthesis: OCCRM are useful especially in case of traumatic cardiac arrest, penetrating trauma, but also in blunt trauma. Time between cardiac arrest and realisation of the thoracotomy seems to be the most important factor for the prognosis.
Conclusion: According to the French "physician in ambulance" prehospital system, OCCRM might be promising in France, because this system favours the fastness of care and therefore would minimize the time factor.