title: Echocardiography in thoracic trauma.
abstract: The availability of bedside ultrasonography can dramatically impact the care of patients with cardiac or aortic injuries. A focused, limited echocardiographic examination in the initial evaluation of victims with thoracic injuries can provide vital information the clinician needs to expedite the management of these patients. This article reviews the current use of transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography in patients with thoracic trauma.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California San Diego Medical Center, USA.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Chan
mesh_terms: D002305:Cardiac Tamponade / Q000209:etiology; D004452:Echocardiography / Q000379:methods*; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D018579:Patient Selection; D010490:Pericardial Effusion / Q000209:etiology; D019095:Point-of-Care Systems; D013898:Thoracic Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*