Perform an ED Thoracotomy

Human heart surrounded by fluid inside the pericardial sac

By Abdolghader Pakniyat, peer-reviewed by Sabrina Berdouk A rare procedure, a narrow window, and one unforgettable survivor In my whole emergency medicine career, I have seen ED thoracotomy performed around seven or eight times. Only one patient survived. That number may sound discouraging. But anyone who has worked in a busy emergency department knows this […]