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Managing a Massive Hemothorax: A Guide to Stabilizing Your Patient

A hemothorax most commonly occurs secondary to penetrating or blunt chest wall trauma, with up to 70-80% of hemothoraces due to motor vehicle collisions. These injuries can cause rapid decompensation, but diagnosis and management isn't always easy. This post is filled with pearls and pitfalls in diagnosis and management of massive hemothorax.

practice updates

Resuscitation of the Pregnant Trauma Patient – Pearls and Pitfalls

While on shift at a busy urban emergency department, you are notified by EMS dispatch of an ambulance en-route with a patient involved in a high-speed MVC. They report she is a female, in her 20s or 30s, who is obviously gravid, but of unknown gestational age. According to EMS vital signs are: HR 104, RR 25, BP 104/54, and SpO2 98% on room air. They are requesting activation of your trauma team.