Point-of-Care Ultrasound to Diagnose Postpericardiotomy Syndrome in a Child

Pediatr Emerg Care. 2017 Oct;33(10):700-702. doi: 10.1097/PEC.0000000000001271.

Abstract

We report a case of a patient presenting with abdominal pain after cardiac surgery who was noted on point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) to have pericardial and pleural effusion, in addition to ascites. The most notable findings were pleural and pericardial effusions, which combined with symptomatology met criteria for postpericardiotomy syndrome. Point-of-care ultrasound expedited the diagnosis of a pericardial effusion with impending tamponade and transfer for pericardiocentesis and placement of pericardial drain.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Pericardial Effusion / diagnostic imaging
  • Pericardial Effusion / etiology
  • Pericardiocentesis / methods
  • Pleural Effusion / diagnostic imaging
  • Pleural Effusion / etiology
  • Point-of-Care Systems*
  • Postpericardiotomy Syndrome / diagnostic imaging*
  • Postpericardiotomy Syndrome / surgery
  • Ultrasonography / methods*