[The treatment of traumatic cardiac arrest]

The pathophysiology, formation and course of traumatic cardiac arrest differs from other types of circulatory arrests, leading to some specific considerations regarding cardiopulmonary resuscitation in this condition. The treatment of reversible causes takes a higher priority than initiating chest compressions. The success of the management and treatment of patients suffering traumatic cardiac arrest depends on early timing and a well-organized chain of survival, including not only advanced prehospital care, but also further therapy in special trauma centers. In our review article, we briefly summarize the pathophysiology of traumatic cardiac arrest - to help the understanding of each therapeutic element - as well as the most important diagnostic and therapeutic tools applied during cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The most common causes of traumatic cardiac arrest are described with the solution strategies necessary for their rapid elimination. Orv Hetil. 2023; 164(13): 499-503.