Procedurer Pericardiocentesis is performed on the basis of the haemodynamics, not the volume of fluid. A litre that has accumulated slowly can be asymptomatic, while…

…clinical triad consists of: Hypotension Jugular venous distension Muffled or absent heart sounds The triad suggests severe tamponade, but its absence does not exclude the…

…From a clinical point of view, clinicians must be able to separate pericarditis from ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). This may not always be simple…

…effusion of unclear cause. An effusion not confidently explained by heart failure must be aspirated. Suspected empyema or complicated parapneumonic effusion. Suspected malignancy, tuberculous pleurisy…

…This causes adverse hemodynamic effects, and the condition is classified as cardiac tamponade. The classical signs of cardiac tamponade are hypotension, muffled heart sounds and…

Procedurer The commonest error in paracentesis is not performing it. Every patient admitted with ascites should undergo a diagnostic paracentesis , because spontaneous bacterial peritonitis often…