Emergency Pericardiocentesis

Injuries associated with resuscitation – An overview

“…40 Also on the chest there may be incisions from drain insertion or puncture marks from the use of cannulae to decompress pneumothoraces 37,41 or from emergency pericardiocentesis. 42 Fractures of the ribs and sternum are the most commonly encountered internal resuscitation injuries 13,36 ; however the range of their reported incidence 43 may relate to the method of their detection. Rib fractures become more likely with age and are encountered anterior to the mid-axillary line.…”

Surgical management of cardiac tamponade: Is left anterior minithoracotomy really safe and effective?

“…It may be adopted in hemodynamically unstable patients, in intensive care units or in patients who are unsuitable for surgery due to poor clinical conditions. It is well-tolerated in all age groups, including children (23), and it can be quickly performed in unstable patients to relieve symptoms (24). Moreover, it presents low mortality, low complications, but high recurrence rates.…”

An Emergent Echo-Guided Apical Pericardiocentesis for Cardiac Tamponade in a Patient with only the Left Lung

“…Echo-guided pericardiocentesis, performed via sub-xiphoid, apical or parasternal approach, has smaller risk of major complication than blind pericardiocentesis. [1][2][3] The sub-xiphoid approach is considered the safest. 2,3 In our patient this approach was attempted but was not feasible, probably because of the anatomy and the fibrosis due to both previous radiation exposure and the recent surgery.…”

“…[1][2][3] The sub-xiphoid approach is considered the safest. 2,3 In our patient this approach was attempted but was not feasible, probably because of the anatomy and the fibrosis due to both previous radiation exposure and the recent surgery. In this particular case, the apical approach was a very high-risk procedure in view of the previous right pneumonectomy and the risk of left pneumothorax, which could be life-threating in a patient with only the left lung.…”