Delayed pericardial effusions: life-threatening complication presenting up to 100 days after chest trauma.
Stab wounds are often managed conservatively with simple wound assessment and closure. However, even apparently minor thoracic wounds can cause delayed pericardial effusions presenting as life-threatening tamponade sometimes days, weeks or months later. Patients suffering stab wounds to the chest should receive echocardiographic follow-up to exclude delayed pericardial effusions.
Nijjer
Sukhjinder S
SS
Department of Cardiology, The Hillingdon Hospital, Uxbridge. s.nijjer@yahoo.co.uk
Dubrey
Simon W
SW
Dreyfus
Gilles D
GD
Grocott-Mason
Richard
R
D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010490:Pericardial Effusion / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D013898:Thoracic Injuries / Q000150:complications*; D013997:Time Factors; D014951:Wounds, Stab / Q000150:complications*; D055815:Young Adult
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