The patient was brought to the ER after a high-speed motor vehicle accident. CT angiogram was ordered to rule out aortic injury. While in the CT scanner the patient went into a cardiac arrest.

The above image was obtained at the onset of the arrest. The intravenous contrast remains in the vena cava (SVC) without filling the heart. This is an unintentional demonstration of what happens during the arrest – lack of blood flow. Some backflow to the liver was noted.

The study was aborted and CPR was initiated. Also note on the image above a massive right hemothorax (labeled HTX) – likely the cause of the cardiac arrest.