Transthoracic echocardiography after heart surgery: could pleural view be of some help?
The pericardial effusion localized on the upper portion of the right atrium is a classical complication of the post-operative heart surgery setting. This issue is most likely not visualized by transthoracic echocardiography and needs the transoesophageal approach. The present case reports a situation where an associated bilateral pleural effusion permitted a new view of the heart which has been helpful to confirm the diagnosis of tamponade and to re-transfer the patient to the operative room.
Schütz
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N
Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland.
Bendjelid
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K
D000368:Aged; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D048909:Diabetes Complications; D004452:Echocardiography / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010490:Pericardial Effusion / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*