Demographics and physiologic parameters of the study population
| Characteristics | ED thoracotomy (n=2229) |
| Age, years (mean±SD) | 37.1±16.8 |
| Men | 81.2 (n=1811) |
| Race, % (n) | |
| White | 42.3 (943) |
| African-American | 36.3 (810) |
| Others | 21.4 (476) |
| Hispanics | 13.5 (300) |
| Vital parameters | |
| EMS | |
| SBP, mm Hg (mean±SD) | 61.8±59 |
| Heart rate, bpm (mean±SD) | 73.6±57 |
| SI, median (IQR) | 1 (0.68–1.33) |
| Pulse <60 bpm, % (n) | 37.5 (836) |
| ED | |
| SBP, mm Hg (mean±SD) | 73.4±58.2 |
| Heart rate, bpm (mean±SD) | 84.1±54.3 |
| SI, median (IQR) | 1 (0.68–1.37) |
| Pulse <60 bpm, % (n) | 30.3 (676) |
| SOL, % (n) | 81.4 (1814) |
| Prehospital CPR | 36% (802) |
| ED disposition, % (n) | |
| Died | 24.5 (547) |
| Operating room | 68.4 (1525) |
| Injury parameters, | |
| Mechanism of injury, % (n) | |
| Penetrating | 56.3 (n=1254) |
| GSW | 43.7 (n=975) |
| Stab | 9.1 (n=279) |
| Blunt | 43.7 (n=975) |
| LOMI, % (n) | |
| Isolated thorax | 48.2 (1074) |
| Isolated abdominal | 10.7 (239) |
| Multiple injuries | 41.1 (916) |
| Injury severity and pattern | |
| ISS, median (IQR) | 27 (9-75) |
| ISS ≥16, % (n) | 66.4 (1481) |
| Thoracic-AIS, median (IQR) | 3 (3-6) |
| Abdominal-AIS, median (IQR) | 3 (3-5) |
| Head-AIS, median (IQR) | 3 (3-5) |
| Survival rate, % (n) | 9.6 (213) |
AIS, Abbreviated Injury Scale Score; bpm,beats per minute; CPR, cardiopulmonary resuscitation; ED, emergency department; EMS, emergency medical service; GSW, gunshot wound; ISS, Injury Severity Score; LOMI, location of major injury; SBP, systolic blood pressure; SI, Shock Index; SOL, signs of life.