Within 30 minutes of arrival in hospital he had already received 3 units of warm ABO compatible blood. Following this prompt resuscitation, anaesthesia and surgery were uneventful, renal failure was avoided and the patient made a complete recovery. He is still fishing on Lake Iteshi-teshi. Occasionally haemorrhage is not the cause of the hypotension. For example, septicaemia and spinal cord injury can cause hypotension, but in both there is a relative hypovolaemia and the treatment outlined above is unlikely to be harmful.
Cardiac tamponade is treated by needle pericardiocentesis .
If caused by a penetrating implement, this must be left in place while awaiting surgery. All cases of traumatic cardiac tamponade require urgent surgical exploration. Commence rapid intravenous infusion immediately. Warm intravenous infusions whenever possible. Give warmed blood early in severe shock.