Paraparesis following emergency room thoracotomy: case report

Spinal cord ischemia complicating resuscitative aortic occlusion is reported in a patient requiring emergency thoracotomy and aortic cross-clamping following a stab wound to the heart. Paraparesis and ischemic myelopathy were documented in the absence of associated injury. The possible contribution of systemic hypotension to spinal cord ischemia following aortic occlusion is suggested.