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Successful drainage of a traumatic haemopericardium with pericardiocentesis through an intercostal approach
Author(s) -
Choo Tze Liang Johnathan,
Wong Keng Yean,
Chen Ching Kit,
Tan Teng Hong
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
emergency medicine australasia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.602
H-Index - 52
eISSN - 1742-6723
pISSN - 1742-6731
DOI - 10.1111/j.1742-6723.2010.01356.x
Subject(s) - medicine , pericardiocentesis , cardiac tamponade , thoracic trauma , blunt , intensive care unit , surgery , intensive care medicine
A case of traumatic haemopericardium, sustained after blunt thoracic trauma, is described in a paediatric patient that was successfully drained by needle pericardiocentesis under 2D‐echocardiographic guidance, via an intercostal approach, in the Children's Intensive Care Unit. The patient was haemodynamically unstable with obvious signs of cardiac tamponade. Drainage of the haemopericardium resulted in immediate improvement in haemodynamics. There was no re‐accumulation of the haemopericardium. There were no complications as a result of the pericardiocentesis. No further surgical intervention was required.