Cardiac tamponade: contrast reflux as an indicator of cardiac chamber equalization

Journal of Cardiothoracic Surgery

Zain Khalpey¹  Michael Stella¹  Wernard Aat Antoine Borstlap¹  Foeke Jacob Harmen Nauta¹ 

[1] The University of Arizona Medical Center - University Campus, 1501 North Campbell Avenue , Tucson, AZ, 85724, USA

关键词: Cardiac hemodynamics;    Contrast reflux;    Blunt trauma;    Hemopericardium;    Cardiac tamponade;   

Others  :  1153185
DOI  :  10.1186/1749-8090-7-48

 received in 2011-12-29, accepted in 2012-05-31,  发布年份 2012

【 摘 要 】

Background

Traumatic hemopericardium remains a rare entity; it does however commonly cause cardiac tamponade which remains a major cause of death in traumatic blunt cardiac injury.

Objectives

We present a case of blunt chest trauma complicated by cardiac tamponade causing cardiac chamber equalization revealed by reflux of contrast.

Case report

A 29-year-old unidentified male suffered blunt chest trauma in a motor vehicle collision. Computed tomography (CT) demonstrated a periaortic hematoma and hemopericardium. Significant contrast reflux was seen in the inferior vena cava and hepatic veins suggesting a change in cardiac chamber pressures. After intensive treatment including cardiac massage this patient expired of cardiac arrest.

Conclusion

Reflux of contrast on CT imaging can be an indicator of traumatic cardiac tamponade.

【 授权许可】

   
2012 Nauta et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

【 图 表 】

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