Citation

McCarthy T, Lassota-Korba B, O'Leary T, Knight R, Murphy P, Pandey R. Emerg. Med. J. 2007; 24(8): 596-597.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2007, BMJ Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1136/emj.2006.045567

PMID

17652695

PMCID

PMC2660100

Abstract

A 45-year-old man was brought by ambulance to the emergency department. He was in shock, with a knife handle protruding from his abdomen. His pulse became undetectable. With the knife still in situ, external cardiac massage was provided on immediate transfer to the operating theatre. Resuscitation and haemostasis were achieved and the patient was eventually discharged from hospital. This case report discusses the risks of chest compressions for trauma patients with a penetrating weapon still in situ.

Language: en

Keywords

Abdominal Injuries; Emergency Medicine; Heart Arrest; Heart Massage; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Suicide, Attempted; Treatment Outcome; Wounds, Stab