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Chest compressions for a patient in cardiac arrest after penetrating trauma with a knife still in situ

Pilgrim Hospital, Boston, Lincolnshire, UK

Correspondence to:
Correspondence to:
Dr Thomas McCarthy
Pilgrim Hospital, Sibsey Rd, Boston, Lincolnshire, PE21 9QS, UK; tmccarthy{at}doctors.org.uk

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.