A Caveat to the Performance of Pericardial Ultrasound in Patients With Penetrating Cardiac Wounds

• DOI: 10.1097/ta.0b013e3181b16f30
• Publication Date: 2009-11-07T08:18:52Z
• Authors: Chad G. Ball; Brian H. Williams; Amy D. Wyrzykowski; Jeffrey M. Nicholas; Grace S. Rozycki; David V. Feliciano
• Keywords: Hemopericardium; Pericardial window; Pericardial cavity; Pericardial fluid; Stab wound; Thoracic cavity

Background: The pericardial window in a focused assessment with sonography for trauma (FAST) examination is highly accurate detecting hemopericardium and, therefore, associated cardiac injury. A series of patients false-negative ultrasound examinations, who were subsequently diagnosed lacerations after presenting stab wounds, are described. Methods: All normal examination, despite subsequent diagnosis injury, described (2005-2008). Results: Five wounds to the precodium displayed initial and repeatedly windows on FAST examination. Each patient was eventually penetrating injury concurrent laceration their sac. This combination injuries allowed decompression blood from into thoracic cavity prevented accumulation hemopericardium. Conclusions: component commonly used present precordium. In cases sac, may not detect because cavity.