A 45-year-old man is admitted to ICU following a stab wound to the left chest. He is intubated, tachycardic (HR 130), and hypotensive (BP 65/40). Neck...

Question

A 45-year-old man is admitted to ICU following a stab wound to the left chest. He is intubated, tachycardic (HR 130), and hypotensive (BP 65/40). Neck veins are distended. Bedside echocardiography shows a circumferential pericardial effusion with RV diastolic collapse. What is the definitive management?

Accepted Answer

Urgent thoracotomy in the operating theatre

Answer

Urgent pericardiocentesis under echocardiographic guidance

Answer

Administer 2 litres of IV crystalloid and reassess

Answer

Emergency resuscitative thoracotomy at the bedside

Answer

Insert bilateral chest drains

uk-fficm MCQ (SBA): Traumatic Cardiac Tamponade