JOURNAL ARTICLE

Thoracotomy Resuscitation of a Patient Who Sustained Blunt Force Trauma with a pH of 6.7 on Admission and Ultra Massive Transfusion of 42 Units of Blood.

  • Published In: American Surgeon, 2024, v. 90, n. 8. P. 2066 1 of 3

  • Database: Academic Search Ultimate 2 of 3

  • Authored By: Meghreblian, John T.; Bethurum, A. J.; Smith, Lou M. 3 of 3

Abstract

This article focuses on a case of successful resuscitation in a 37-year-old man who presented with extreme acidosis (pH 6.7), no vital signs, and severe blunt trauma after being ejected from a vehicle. Despite generalized trauma guidelines suggesting futility below pH 7.0 and after massive transfusions exceeding 23 units of packed red blood cells (pRBCs), the patient underwent emergency thoracotomy, resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA), and multiple surgeries, receiving 42 units of pRBCs within 24 hours. The case highlights that aggressive, case-specific resuscitative measures, including hemorrhage control and tourniquet use, can result in survival and neurologically intact discharge even in extreme metabolic acidosis and ultra-massive transfusion scenarios.

Additional Information

  • Source:American Surgeon. 2024/08, Vol. 90, Issue 8, p2066
  • Document Type:Case Study
  • Subject Area:Science
  • Publication Date:2024
  • ISSN:0003-1348
  • DOI:10.1177/00031348241241723
  • Accession Number:178935376
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