Treatment of<unk>  is guided by advanced trauma life support guidelines. Standard advanced<unk>  life support guidelines are inappropriate for use in<unk> , as they are directed primarily at treating pathology originating within the heart itself. As clinicians begin to intervene, they will simultaneously seek reversible causes of the<unk> . Management begins by establishing multiple points of IV access and evaluating the patient's airway and breathing. Other interventions may include thoracostomy and thoracotomy, as well as treatment of the underlying cause of<unk> . Basic life support Basic life support is commonly initiated by bystanders and first responders, but the role of basic life support in<unk>  is unclear. Basic life support is targeted to maintain oxygenation and circulation throughout the body, which can be lifesaving in cases of medical<unk><unk> , but does not address the frequent large volume blood loss encounters in many cases of<unk> . Chest compressions Chest compressions are considered the most important initial intervention in cases of medical<unk><unk> , however studies evaluating their efficacy have excluded patients with<unk> . Chest compressions work to replace the<unk>  function of pumping blood throughout the body, however cases where the heart is either unable to fill with blood or the total blood volume is depleted, this intervention may be ineffective. Additionally, as many of the interventions targeted at specific causes of<unk>  are centered around procedures performed around the patient's chest, head, and neck, compressions may interfere with definitive management. Management of reversible causes +Reversible causes of<unk>  and treatment Condition Goal of Treatment Initial Treatment Definitive Treatment Hypovolemia Restore circulating volume Providers will initially establish IV access to provide large volume fluid resuscitation and may use tourniquets or bandages to control bleeding These patients will likely require blood transfusion for definitive management Tension pneumothorax Relieve pressure within the chest cavity Initial treatment may include needle decompression Definitive treatment for most patients will include tube thoracostomy Hemothorax Relieve pressure within the chest cavity Management requires tube thoracostomy<unk>  tamponade Relieve pressure within the pericardium Initial treatment may require pericardiocentesis. This procedure may be sufficient to resolve the tamponade, or further management may be required. Patient with<unk>  tamponade following penetrating trauma may be good candidates for thoracotomy Hypoxia Increase oxygen content of the blood Treatment of hypoxia is aimed at maintaining the patient's airway and controlling breathing. Initial treatment may include bag-valve mask, nasopharyngeal airway, oropharyngeal airway, or other airway devices Definitive management may require intubation or cricothyrotomy Future directions Current guidelines tailored to treatment of specific causes of<unk>  have improved outcomes for patients, however these guidelines may be difficult to apply in a standardized manner due to differences in pre-hospital care and the wide variety of causes of<unk>  compared to medical<unk><unk> . Evolving algorithms are directed at quickly identifying incidences of<unk><unk>  with a<unk>  source and rapidly intervening to address reversible causes.
Traumatic cardiac arrest
Spinal shock
Cerebral contusion
Exploding head syndrome
Neurogenic shock
Atelectotrauma
Polytrauma
Heat stroke