ABSTRACT
High-energy accidents frequently result in chest or abdominal trauma. These injuries carry a significant mortality which may be reduced by early, decisive intervention.
Severe chest injury may involve any structure within the thoracic cavity. Hypoxia is a common and dangerous feature, often combined with hypertension secondary to large-volume haemorrhage within the thorax. Hyperventilation, with concomitant hypercarbia, is not infrequently seen; its presence implies severe chest injury.
