Resuscitative thoracotomies (RT) are an effective life saving measure in appropriate populations [1-8]. Unfortunately, when used outside of these populations the mortality rate is typically more than 90% [1-8]. Western Trauma Association and Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma have provided guidelines for which trauma patients are a candidate for RT [1-3].

EPIC and trauma registry will be queried for demographic information, admission dates, discharge diagnoses, inpatient cognitive function, routine testing (imaging and labs) reports, and surgical histories to determine number of patients who underwent RT, survived the RT, deficits from their cardiac arrest, and if they were COVID-19 positive. A full list of variables to be extracted from the chart review is in Appendix B. Chart review and data collection for these patients should be completed by December of 2024.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Trauma patients who underwent RT in the emergency department (ED), operating room (OR), or intensive care unit (ICU) from January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2023.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Trauma patients who did not have a RT in the ED, OR, or ICU or were less than 16 years old from January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2023.

Trauma patients who underwent RT in the emergency department (ED), operating room (OR), or intensive care unit (ICU) from January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2023.

Study data or any protected health information will not be shared with anyone that is not delegated to the study. The PI is committed to disseminate research results in a timely fashion. Sharing of results generated by the data analysis during the course of the project will be through presentation at national scientific meetings and/or publication in open access journals. All information obtained will be source de-identified and presented on a large scale and not traceable to any one particular individual.

with in 1-2 years

The data will be presented at local, regional, national, and international sites. The research gathered will be analyzed and submitted to relevant peer-reviewed medical journals for publication to add to the body of knowledge in the science community. Our potential list of conferences include: AAST (American Association for the Surgery of Trauma), SWSC (Southwest Surgical Congress), Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma, WTA (Western Trauma Association), or similar.