Prehospital perimortem cesarean section during cardiopulmonary resuscitation for traumatic cardiac arrest Case report and lessons learned

The following case report discusses the resuscitation of a pregnant woman in traumatic cardiac arrest after a fall from a height with consecutive resuscitative hysterotomy for maternal and fetal salvage. The report illustrates all lessons learned from critical appraisal amid new guideline recommendations and gives an overview of the published literature on the matter. Despite extensive resuscitation efforts, ultimately both the mother and the newborn were pronounced life extinct at the scene. Prehospital treatment of (traumatic) cardiac arrest in a pregnant patient as well as performing a perimortem cesarean section remain infrequent but challenging scenarios.

Automated summary

This case report discusses the resuscitation process of a pregnant woman who experienced traumatic cardiac arrest after a fall from a height. It includes the use of resuscitative hysterotomy for maternal and fetal salvage. The report provides a summary of key lessons learned from critical appraisal and examines the existing literature on this topic. Despite extensive efforts, both the mother and newborn were unable to be revived. Prehospital treatment of traumatic cardiac arrest in pregnant patients and performing a perimortem cesarean section are uncommon and challenging scenarios.