Cardiac tamponade as a late complication of a minor trauma due to syncope: A case report and literature review

Abstract

Haemopericardium with cardiac tamponade following minor blunt trauma is a rare, life-threatening condition. The diagnosis of cardiac tamponade as well as therapeutic management may be delayed, since the link between trauma and illness is often overlooked. We report the case of an old woman who developed a relatively delayed cardiac tamponade due to an otherwise minor blunt chest trauma following syncope.

Late Cardiac Tamponade in a Patient Victim of Penetrating Trauma – Case Report

“…Cardiac tamponade is often associated with stab injury, clinically evidenced by the Beck’s triad, which is present in a minority of patients (low blood pressure, muffled heart sounds and increased jugular venous pressure) [ 3 , 4 ] . In the present case, despite the last two criteria present, the patient's blood pressure was slightly elevated.…”

“…The injuries that most cause the possibility of cardiac trauma are located in the anterior chest wall, specifically in the Ziedler area, particularly victims of penetrating trauma with transfixing chest injuries [ 2 ] . Beck’s triad represents the main clinical feature suggesting the diagnosis, however, identified in up to 33% of patients [ 4 , 5 ] . The most common chamber involved is the right ventricle due to its anatomical location [ 6 ] .…”

Tamponamento Cardíaco: Uma Revisão Bibliográfica

“…A tríade de Beck, formada pela hipotensão, turgência jugular e hipofonese de bulhas é bem explicada pela fisiopatologia do tamponamento cardíaco, apesar de estar presente em menos de 40% dos pacientes. Em 90% dos casos, um dos três está presente (SARANTEAS et al, 2017;IORGOVEANU et al, 2018;GUARINO et al, 2020).…”

“…Os sintomas clínicos apresentados são os de comprometimento cardíaco, como a dispneia, sensação de desmaio iminente, dor torácica, fadiga, possível confusão mental, entre outros sintomas causados pela má perfusão sanguínea em órgãos vitais e periféricos (PIPPI, 2022;GUARINO et al, 2020).…”