Chest Injuries

Abstract

The thoracic cavity contains three major anatomical systems: the airway, lungs, and the cardiovascular system. As such, any blunt or penetrating trauma can cause significant disruption to each of these systems that can quickly prove to be life threatening unless rapidly identified and treated. Chest trauma accounts for approximately 25% of mortality in trauma patients.1,2 This rate is much higher in patients with polytraumatic injuries. 85-90% of chest trauma patients can be rapidly stabilized and resuscitated by a handful of critical procedures. Trauma patients are commonly encountered in all emergency departments, not just in specified trauma centers. For this reason, emergency medicine providers should be prepared to appropriately evaluate, resuscitate and stabilize any patient with chest trauma.