Images in Anesthesiology: Early Identification of Tamponade Using Focused Cardiac Ultrasound

CARDIAC tamponade can be difficult to diagnose because clinical and electrocardiogram findings have low sensitivity and specificity. Intubation and positive pressure ventilation during unrecognized tamponade can lead to hemodynamic instability from decreased venous return and increased right ventricular afterload, compromising right ventricular stroke volume. Focused cardiac ultrasound can rapidly demonstrate sensitive and specific findings of tamponade.1 The increased availability, noninvasiveness, portability, and rapid acquisition of images have made focused cardiac ultrasound an indispensable perioperative tool.2,3
Source: Anesthesiology - Category: Anesthesiology Source Type: research