Cardiac tamponade: contrast reflux as an indicator of cardiac chamber equalization

Cardiac tamponade: contrast reflux as an indicator of cardiac chamber equalization

Blog Article

Notepads Abstract Background Traumatic hemopericardium remains a rare entity; it does however commonly cause cardiac tamponade which remains a major cause of death in traumatic blunt cardiac injury.Objectives We present a case of blunt chest trauma complicated by cardiac tamponade causing cardiac chamber equalization revealed by reflux of contrast.Case report A 29-year-old unidentified male suffered blunt chest trauma in a motor vehicle collision.Computed tomography (CT) demonstrated a periaortic hematoma and hemopericardium.

Significant contrast reflux was seen in the inferior vena cava and hepatic veins Electronics suggesting a change in cardiac chamber pressures.After intensive treatment including cardiac massage this patient expired of cardiac arrest.Conclusion Reflux of contrast on CT imaging can be an indicator of traumatic cardiac tamponade.