Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42301425›Full record

SynthesisWiener klinische Wochenschrift2026

Resuscitative thoracotomy in traumatic cardiac arrest : Multisociety consensus recommendations for settings with a low prevalence of penetrating injuries.

Martin W Dünser, Daniel Grassmann, Thomas Hamp, Mario Krammel, Philipp Eller, Philip Eisenburger, Romana Erblich, Barbara Hallmann, Michael Halmich, Klaus Hellwagner and 16 more

Abstract readConsensus StatementSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Wiener klinische Wochenschrift, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

26 authors.

Martin W DünserAustrian Society of Anaesthesiology, Reanimatology and Critical Care Medicine (ÖGARI), Vienna, Austria. martin.duenser@i-med.ac.at.
Daniel GrassmannEmergency Medical Service Vienna (Berufsrettung Wien), Vienna, Austria.
Thomas HampEmergency Medical Service Vienna (Berufsrettung Wien), Vienna, Austria.
Mario KrammelEmergency Medical Service Vienna (Berufsrettung Wien), Vienna, Austria.
Philipp EllerFederation of Austrian Societies of Intensive Care Medicine (FASIM).
Philip EisenburgerAustrian Society of Internal and General Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine (ÖGIAIN).
Romana ErblichDepartment of Anaesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Kepler University Hospital, Johannes Kepler University Linz, Krankenhausstrasse 9, 4020, Linz, Austria.
Barbara HallmannWorking Group Emergency Medicine (AGN).
Michael HalmichAustrian Society of Ethics and Law in Emergency and Disaster Medicine (ÖGERN).
Klaus HellwagnerAustrian Society of Ethics and Law in Emergency and Disaster Medicine (ÖGERN).
Klaus HerbichEmergency Medical Service Vienna (Berufsrettung Wien), Vienna, Austria.
Harald HerknerFederation of Austrian Societies of Intensive Care Medicine (FASIM).
Igor KnezAustrian Society of Cardiac and Thoracic Vascular Surgery (ÖGHTG).
Lukas L NegrinAustrian Society of Orthopaedics and Traumatology (ÖGOuT).
Marcel RigaudWorking Group Emergency Medicine (AGN).
Joachim SchlieberAustrian Resuscitation Council (ARC).
Sebastian SchnaubeltEmergency Medical Service Vienna (Berufsrettung Wien), Vienna, Austria.
Wolfgang SchreiberAustrian Association of Emergency and Disaster Medicine (ÖNK).
Alexandra-Maria StommelAustrian Association of Emergency Medicine (AAEM).
Florian TomaselliAustrian Society of Thoracic Surgery (ÖGTC).
Helmut TrimmelAustrian Society of Anaesthesiology, Reanimatology and Critical Care Medicine (ÖGARI), Vienna, Austria.
Christoph VeiglAustrian Cardiac Arrest Awareness Association (PULS), Vienna, Austria.
Wolfgang VoelckelÖAMTC Flugrettung, Vienna, Austria.
Stefan WatzkaAustrian Society of Thoracic Surgery (ÖGTC).
Dominik WiedemannAustrian Society of Cardiac and Thoracic Vascular Surgery (ÖGHTG).
Paul PuchweinAustrian Society of Orthopaedics and Traumatology (ÖGOuT).

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundResuscitative thoracotomy (RT) is recommended for selected patients with traumatic cardiac arrest, particularly after penetrating trauma; however, most evidence is derived from high-volume centers, creating uncertainty about its implementation in settings with a low prevalence of penetrating injuries. This study aimed to develop evidence-informed, consensus-based recommendations for the systematic implementation of RT in such contexts.

methodsA modified Delphi process was conducted with 24 specialists representing 10 Austrian medical societies and two emergency medical services. A systematic literature review was carried out to enable the development of 22 open-ended questions. Responses from the first round were synthesized into 28 statements.

resultsConsensus was achieved on all 28 statements after 4 rounds, with participation rates of 100% in rounds 1 and 2, and 91.7% in rounds 3 and 4. The panel issued 1 strong recommendation, 15 weak recommendations and 12 best-practice statements. Agreement was unanimous in 17.9%, strong in 50.0%, and moderate in 32.1% of the statements. Evidence certainty was rated as moderate (18.8%), low (43.8%) or very low (37.5%). Key recommendations emphasized strict indication criteria, system level prerequisites such as major trauma centers and physician-led emergency services, preference for the clamshell technique and the need for structured multidisciplinary training and governance.

conclusionThis consensus provides guidance on implementing RT in settings with a low prevalence of penetrating trauma. Careful patient selection, system preparedness and structured training are essential to optimize outcomes. These recommendations can support clinicians and policymakers in their decision if and how RT should be implemented into trauma systems with limited exposure to penetrating injuries.

Indexed as

Heart ArrestResuscitationThoracotomyWounds, PenetratingAustriaDelphi TechniqueHumansDelphiEmergency medical servicesLow prevalencePenetrating injuriesTraumatic cardiac arrest

Identifiers

PMID42301425
PMCPMC13290978

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.