Key result
Emergency ultrasound-guided subxiphoid pericardiocentesis stabilizes acute cardiac tamponade in a trauma patient without surgery.
Why the study?
Early recognition and emergent ultrasound-guided pericardiocentesis are critical for hemodynamic stability in cardiac tamponade following chest trauma.
Case Report (n=1)
Early diagnosis with cFAST and emergent ultrasound-guided pericardiocentesis can successfully treat acute cardiac tamponade following trauma without the need for surgical intervention.
May support emergency ultrasound-guided pericardiocentesis in trauma tamponade; leaves open need for prospective validation before practice change.
INTRODUCTION: Cardiac tamponade following blunt and penetrating chest trauma is a life-threatening condition, and early recognition clinically and with the cardiac component in the Focused Assessment with Sonography in Trauma (cFAST) is paramount. Performing an emergent pericardiocentesis is key in achieving hemodynamic stability. CASE PRESENTATION: A male victim of a motor-vehicle accident presented with distended neck veins, muffled heart sounds, and hemodynamic instability. The cFAST confirmed cardiac tamponade, and emergency ultrasound-guided subxiphoid-pericardiocentesis was performed. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: Classical findings in cardiac tamponade (Beck's triad) were present in our multiple-injured patient. Cardiac tamponade is a sequel of hemodynamic instability due to extrinsic cardiac compression from pericardial fluid. Up to 200 millitres can be fatal; about 180 millitres was aspirated from the index patient who achieved hemodynamic stability without surgical intervention. CONCLUSION: We highlighted the importance of early diagnosis and ultrasound-guided pericardiocentesis in acute cardiac tamponade.
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Ikpeze et al. (2025) conducted a case report in Cardiac tamponade (n=1). Ultrasound-guided subxiphoid-pericardiocentesis was evaluated on Hemodynamic stability. Emergency ultrasound-guided subxiphoid-pericardiocentesis successfully achieved hemodynamic stability in a male trauma patient with acute cardiac tamponade without surgical intervention.
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