Authors: Erika McMahon M.D., Elle Walter M.D., Stephanie Polites M.D.
EMBlog Mayo Clinic - February 23, 2015 - Posted by Daniel Cabrera MD.
- "Thoracic injuries account for 20-25% of deaths from trauma and contribute to 25-50% of the remaining deaths
- 16,000 deaths per year in the U.S. are due to chest trauma
- Gunshots = 10% of all major trauma in the U.S.
- Stabbings = 9.5% of all major trauma in the U.S.
- Deaths within the first 30 minutes to 3 hours are often preventable
- Tension pneumothorax, cardiac tamponade, airway obstruction, uncontrolled hemorrhage"
http://emblog.mayo.edu/discussion/primer-on-penetrating-thoracic-trauma/