Table 3 Current indications and contraindications for EDT

Indications:

Salvageable postinjury cardiac arrest:

   Patients sustaining witnessed penetrating trauma with < 15 minutes of prehospital CPR.

   Patients sustaining witnessed blunt trauma with < 5 minutes of prehospital CPR.

Persistent severe postinjury hypotension (SBP ≤ 60 mmHg) due to:

   Cardiac tamponade

   Hemorrhage – intrathoracic, intraabdominal, extremity, cervical

   Air embolism

Contraindications:

Penetrating trauma: CPR > 15 minutes and no signs of life (pupillary response, respiratory effort, or motor activity)

Blunt trauma: CPR > 5 minutes and no signs of life or asystole