Use of pericardiocentesis for patients with cardiac tamponade in penetrating chest trauma
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Report By: Kevin KC Hung - Emergency Medicine Resident
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Search checked by Colin A Graham - Associate Professor
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Institution: Chinese University of Hong Kong
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Date Submitted: 27th June 2007
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Date Completed: 29th January 2009
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Last Modified: 29th January 2009
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Status:
Green (complete)
Three Part Question
In [patient with cardiac tamponade in penetrating chest trauma] does [pericardiocentesis] reduce [mortality and morbidity]?Clinical Scenario
A 43-year-old male is brought into the resuscitation room having been stabbed with a knife in his left chest. The patient is hypotensive (blood pressure 80/40mmHg) but remains conscious, and cardiac tamponade is suspected. A focussed abdominal sonography for trauma scan (FAST) shows an obvious haemopericardium with early right ventricular collapse. There is no on site cardiothoracic support and the general surgeons want to transfer the patient to another hospital for definitive surgery. The on call surgical registrar decides to perform pericardiocentesis for this patient but you wonder if this procedure is useful.
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