RT Book, Section A1 Reichman, Eric F. A2 Reichman, Eric F. SR Print(0) ID 1159797597 T1 Thoracic Aortic Occlusion T2 Reichman's Emergency Medicine Procedures, 3e YR 2018 FD 2018 PB McGraw-Hill Education PP New York, NY SN 9781259861925 LK accessemergencymedicine.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1159797597 RD 2024/11/11 AB Temporary thoracic aortic occlusion should be performed during an Emergency Department thoracotomy for hypovolemic shock. It preserves cerebral and coronary artery perfusion pressure.1 The blood flow to the viscera below the cross clamp, however, falls to less than 10% of baseline flow.2 This can be advantageous since it stops distal hemorrhage, but it can later result in the undesired metabolic consequences of acidosis, hyperkalemia, and multiple organ system failure.3,4 The use of the Emergency Department thoracotomy is likely to decrease as the resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) technique (Chapter 74) becomes more established and available.