No Benefit from Open Cardiac Massage Following Traumatic Arrest

In this prospective observational study, survival was similar for patients undergoing open chest cardiac massage and those receiving only closed chest compressions.

Open chest cardiac massage (OCCM) is an option following emergency department thoracotomy. Previous research has suggested OCCM may improve survival in nontraumatic cardiac arrest patients and enhance organ perfusion in animal models. There are limited data on its effectiveness in traumatic cardiac arrest.

Investigators at a level 1 trauma center performed a prospective observational study of 33 patients with traumatic cardiac arrest who received closed chest compressions only (CCC; 17 patients) or chest compressions converted to OCCM (16 patients). Patients deemed to be dead on arrival or candidates for endovascular aortic balloon occlusion were excluded. Resuscitations were videotaped and reviewed to confirm the timing of conversion to OCC…

Reviewing Author

Calvin A. Brown III, MD, FAAEM

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory boardVerathon, Inc. (Scientific Advisory Board Member)

Editorial boardsScientific American Emergency Medicine; Manual of Emergency Airway Management (Editor-in-Chief)

Leadership positions in professional societiesPrograms Subcommittee Chair for the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine–Residency and Fellowship Fair

Calvin A. Brown III, MD, FAAEM

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory boardVerathon, Inc. (Scientific Advisory Board Member)

Editorial boardsScientific American Emergency Medicine; Manual of Emergency Airway Management (Editor-in-Chief)

Leadership positions in professional societiesPrograms Subcommittee Chair for the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine–Residency and Fellowship Fair

No Benefit from Open Cardiac Massage Following Traumatic Arrest

Topics

Reviewing Author