TY - CHAP M1 - Book, Section TI - Thoracic Trauma A1 - Schindlbeck, Michael A. A2 - Sherman, Scott C. A2 - Weber, Joseph M. A2 - Schindlbeck, Michael A. A2 - Rahul G., Patwari PY - 2014 T2 - Clinical Emergency Medicine AB - Thoracic trauma is the second leading cause of traumatic death in the United States.All patients require a rapid primary survey focused on patient airway, breathing, and circulation and stabilization of any emergent life–threatening conditions.Emergent life threats in thoracic trauma include airway obstruction, tension pneumothorax, open pneumothorax, massive hemothorax, and pericardial tamponade.In select penetrating trauma victims who suffer witnessed loss of vital signs, emergent thoracotomy can be a lifesaving procedure. SN - PB - McGraw-Hill Education CY - New York, NY Y2 - 2024/03/28 UR - accessemergencymedicine.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1101228824 ER -