Tension gastrothorax is a kind of obstructive shock with prolapse and distention of the stomach into the thoracic cavity. Progressive gastric distension leads to mediastinal shift, reduced venous return, decreased cardiac output, and ultimately cardiac arrest. Therefore, it is crucial to decompress the stomach distension for the initial resuscitation of tension gastrothorax. A 75-year-old female was transported to our resuscitation bay due to motor vehicle crash. At the time of arrival to our hospital, the patient developed cardiac arrest. While undergoing cardiopulmonary resuscitation, an unstable pelvic ring was recognized, so we performed a resuscitative thoracotomy to control hemorrhage and to perform direct cardiac massage. Once we performed the thoracotomy, the stomach and omentum prolapsed out of the thoracotomy site and through the diaphragm rupture site and spontaneous circulation was recovered. Neither the descending aorta nor the heart was collapsed. Although we had continued the treatment for severe pelvic fracture (including blood transufusions), the patient died. Given that (1) the stomach prolapsed out of the body at the time of the thoracotomy; (2) at the same timing, spontaneous circulation returned; and (3) the descending aorta and heart did not collapse, we hypothesized that the main cause of the initial cardiac arrest was tension gastrothorax. Recognition of tension gastrothorax pathophysiology, which is a form of obstructive shock, makes it possible to manage this injury correctly.

In cases of severe accidental hypothermia, it was recommended that resuscitation should be continued until the patient has rewarmed, as hypothermia itself can preserve cerebral function, and hypothermic cardiac arrest is reversible. During cardiopulmonary resuscitation for normothermic patients, muscle rigidity suggests the initiation of postmortem changes such as rigor mortis and can lead to the termination of resuscitation. Currently, the prognosis of cardiac arrest due to severe accidental hypothermia accompanied by rigidity is unknown. A 29-year-old woman was found unresponsive near a snowy mountain trail. Upon discovery, she was found to be in cardiac arrest with an initial asystole rhythm and exhibited mandibular rigidity. On admission, her core temperature was 22 °C. Although cardiac arrest continued, and she showed no response to normal resuscitation, blood gas analysis revealed that her initial serum potassium level was 5.4 mmol/L. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for systemic perfusion and rewarming was initiated. After ECMO was introduced, return of spontaneous circulation was achieved. She showed no neurological impairments at discharge. Muscle rigidity does not rule out the possibility of resuscitation in patients with severe accidental hypothermia under cardiac arrest. Serum potassium levels may assist in deciding whether ECMO should be introduced, even if a patient is in asystole. This knowledge may help emergency physicians to save the lives of such patients.

This study aimed to investigate the prevalence, location, and characteristics of new-onset chronic pain by using a new definition in long-term survivors after discharge from a tertiary emergency center. We conducted a single-center ambidirectional cohort study from January to May 2022. A survey of patients was conducted by postal mail 2-2.5 years since their discharge from a tertiary emergency center. We used the Brief Pain Inventory to investigate chronic pain parameters, and the painDETECT questionnaire to investigate neuropathic pain. Patient information during hospitalization was collected retrospectively from medical records. The survey was sent to 78 patients, 63 (81%) of whom responded and were included in the analysis. Nine of the 63 patients (14%) had new-onset chronic pain. Of these, six (67%) had chronic pain of moderate or severe intensity which interfered with daily life. The most frequent location of chronic pain was the ankle/foot (n=4, 44%). Neuropathic pain was present in four (44%) patients with new-onset chronic pain. New-onset chronic pain may occur for up to 2-2.5 years after discharge from a tertiary emergency center, and this may interfere with daily life. Therefore, a follow-up system for chronic pain is warranted.