Two cases of penetrating left ventricular cardiac trauma: Pre-hospital ultrasound and direct to theatre. (June 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hanley, Paul; Holden, Joshua; Johnson, Tamara; Garner, Alan; Weatherall, Andrew
• Is Part Of: Trauma case reports. Volume 21(2019)
• Publication Date: 2019-06
• Subjects: Left ventricle -- Penetrating trauma -- Trauma -- Pre-hospital -- Ultrasound; Wounds and injuries -- Periodicals; Traumatology -- Periodicals; 617.1005
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tcr.2019.100189
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2352-6440

Abstract

Abstract: Left ventricular (LV) Cardiac penetrating trauma is a rare and grave injury. In cases of penetrating cardiac trauma, pre-hospital Ultrasound by flight doctors can assist identify specific pathology. This pre-hospital triage has now been linked to a change in both pre-hospital and in-hospital management. There are minimal cases reported where Pre-Hospital ultrasound provided definitive diagnosis and, while providing Pre-Hospital blood transfusion, informed a direct to theatre approach. In 2017 in New South Wales, Australia, a new protocol "Code Crimson" has been introduced to formalise a system wide process where Pre-Hospital medical teams can expedite a straight to Theatre approach.