Loading...
To determine if the Focused Assessment Using Sonography for Trauma (FAST) examination could identify survivors of emergency department (ED) thoracotomy, researchers prospectively evaluated all trauma patients undergoing thoracotomy at a single trauma center between 2010 and 2014. Resuscitative thoracotomy was performed at the discretion of the most senior treating clinician. A FAST exam was performed before or at the same time as thoracotomy.
Of 187 patients enrolled, 51% had penetrating trauma. Vital signs were lost at the scene in 48% of patients, en route to the hospital in 24%, and in the ED in 28%. A FAST examination with cardiac motion was 100% sensitive and 74% specific for identifying organ donors and survivors. In total, three patie…