CJEM Articles: cardiac tamponade

Displaying 1-3 of 3 results

  • Right subclavian catheter perforation of the aorta due to an incorrect external landmark-guided insertion technique
    January 2007 9 1
    Nicola Vitale, Peter N. Latto, Rune Haaverstad

    Emergency placement of a right subclavian triple lumen silastic catheter in an obese, unstable postoperative patient caused a perforation of the aorta, resulting in sudden cardiac tamponade. Because this complication was immediately recognized and surgical decompression with suturing of the perforation in the aorta was performed, the patient survived. A standardized approach for all central venous line insertions should be emphasized for all clinicians. Use of ultrasound guidance whenever feasible is encouraged.

  • Atraumatic hemopericardium in a patient receiving warfarin therapy for a pulmonary embolus
    May 2005 7 3
    Peter G. Katis

    Acute pericardial tamponade is a potentially life-threatening condition that requires immediate treatment. This report describes a patient who presented to the emergency department with an acute hemopericardium and echocardiographic evidence of cardiac tamponade following the initiation of warfarin therapy for a recently diagnosed pulmonary embolism. The association between cardiac tamponade, oral anticoagulation and pulmonary thromboembolic disease is briefly discussed.

  • Pericardial tamponade presenting as abdominal pain in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosis
    April 2000 2 2
    Antonio E. Muñiz

    Abdominal pain is a common complaint in children presenting to the emergency department. Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are at increased risk of infection, bowel necrosis and perforation, especially if they are taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids or immunosuppresive agents, which may mask the signs and symptoms of the underlying condition, hence delay diagnosis and treatment. This article presents the case of an adolescent girl whose abdominal pain was related to cardiac tamponade and provides an overview of the cardiac and gastrointestinal manifestations of SLE.