Resuscitative thoracotomy is often performed on trauma patients with thoracoabdominal penetrating or blunt injuries arriving in cardiac arrest. The goal of this procedure is to immediately restore cardiac output and to control major hemorrhage within the thorax and abdominal cavity. Only surgeons with experience in the management of cardiac and thoracic injuries should perform this procedure.
Keywords: Aortic cross clamping; Blunt trauma; Cardiac repair; Emergency room thoracotomy; Penetrating trauma; Resuscitation; Resuscitative thoracotomy; Traumatic cardiac arrest.
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