Pericardiocentesis by an Air Medical Service for Cardiac Tamponade Caused by Purulent Pericarditis. (3rd April 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Boardman, Timothy; North, Nicholas; Sullivan, Sara
• Is Part Of: Prehospital emergency care. Volume 27:Number 3(2023)
• Page Start: 379
• Page End: 383
• Publication Date: 2023-04-03
• Subjects: 362.18
• DOI: 10.1080/10903127.2023.2165745
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1090-3127

Abstract

Abstract: This case presentation describes the clinical management and course of an adult patient found to be in cardiac tamponade secondary to purulent pericarditis. This etiology represents an uncommon cause of pericardial tamponade and highlights the importance of recognizing clinical signs of this physiological state despite the uncommon presentation. This also reinforces that critical care transport teams must be trained and facile with high acuity-low occurrence skills such as pericardiocentesis as such time-sensitive measures may be necessary to stabilize patients for transport. The patient in this case had clinical improvement after pericardiocentesis was performed and this allowed for the safe transport of the patient to a tertiary care center.