Cardiac tamponade--an unlikely cause of unexplained hypotension in an isolated "minor" blunt chest injury.
Cardiac tamponade after a minor blunt chest trauma is indeed rare. Here, we report on one such case presenting with unexplained hypotension at the Emergency Department. The problems of diagnosis and treatment are discussed. In short, the proper management of this life-threatening condition can only be rendered by a high index of suspicion and close vigilance.
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Department of Anaesthesia, Toa Payoh Hospital, Singapore.
D000328:Adult; D002305:Cardiac Tamponade / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D004452:Echocardiography; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007022:Hypotension / Q000209:etiology*; D013898:Thoracic Injuries / Q000150:complications*; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000150:complications*