title: Pneumopericardium after blunt chest trauma: mechanical ventilation with positive pressure must be avoided.
abstract: A 38-year-old polytraumatized man was admitted with signs of cardiogenic shock (low blood pressure, tachycardia, tachypnea, and elevated central venous pressure). A near tension pneumopericardium was revealed by thorax CT. Air from the pericardial sac remissed 4 days later conservatively, avoiding invasive or non-invasive mechanical ventilation. The use of positive-pressure ventilation, with or without intubation, would probably lead to tension pneumopericardium-cardiac tamponade, needing emergent decompression.
authors.forename: Epaminondas
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Zakynthinos
authors.forename: Eleni
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Karetsi
authors.forename: Chrisi
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Diakaki
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000075202:Contraindications; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011026:Pneumopericardium / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D011175:Positive-Pressure Respiration; D011859:Radiography; D013898:Thoracic Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging