Penetrating cardiac trauma and the use of emergent extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and therapeutic hypothermia: When cooler heads prevail

Abstract

This is a case of penetrating chest trauma with traumatic arrest from cardiac tamponade, right and left ventriculotomies, mitral valve injury and ventricular septal defect. Patient underwent resuscitative thoracotomy converted to clamshell thoracotomy for haemorrhage control. Ventriculotomies were repaired on initial damage control operation. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation cannulation and therapeutic cooling bridged to definitive cardiac repair several days later. Patient was discharged to an inpatient rehabilitation facility in 16 days. Keywords: Penetrating cardiac trauma, ECMO, Therapeutic hypothermia, Neuroprotection