[Delayed tamponade and traumatic myocardial contusion: evaluate the risk after blunt chest trauma].
Cardiac contusion is frequently found in patients with blunt chest trauma. It is important to note that even if there is a low incidence of pericardial effusion, iterative echocardiography should be used to provide essential information for the diagnosis of cardiac tamponade which can be life-threatening during hospitalisation. The case has been reported of a 17-year-old patient with blunt thoracic trauma in whom the introduction of anticoagulant treatment induced a delayed cardiac tamponade with myocardiac failure 3 weeks after a cardiac contusion. Thoracic computed tomography confirmed the diagnosis and moreover, revealed a pleural effusion with pulmonary embolism. The drainage of the pericardial effusion (700 ml) rapidly restored haemodynamic stability and as such has been proved to be life-saving.
Valette
S
S
Service de réanimation polyvalente, département d'anesthésie-réanimation A, hôpital Lapeyronie, CHU de Montpellier, Montpellier, France.
Nouette-Gaulain
K
K
Chardon
P
P
Roustan
J-P
JP
Ryckwaert
Y
Y
Capdevila
X
X
D000293:Adolescent; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002305:Cardiac Tamponade / Q000139:chemically induced*; D005260:Female; D006335:Heart Injuries / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D013997:Time Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging
D000925:Anticoagulants