Close Menu

Books in a Library

Traumatic Cardiac Tamponade in the Golden Hour

DOI: 
10.7727/wimj.2017.219

INTRODUCTION

The utilization of the Focused Assessment with Sonography in Trauma (FAST) examination is rapidly being incorporated in most emergency departments (EDs) across Jamaica. With training, the procedure is accurate and sensitive and can be completed by emergency physicians within 5 minutes. Furthermore, it is non-invasive, repeatable, and portable with no need for contrast (1). We present the case of a young male patient who presented in extremis to the emergency room within ten minutes of penetrating chest trauma. With timely application of FAST, along with the utilization of the Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) principles, the patient survived. In this case report, we seek to highlight the value of prompt assessment of the trauma patient incorporating FAST with the benefits of rapid diagnosis with a favourable outcome. The prompt and life-saving FAST along with the application of the ATLS guidelines as it relates to pericardiocentesis are examined.

Accepted: 
18 Dec, 2017
e-Published: 20 Dec, 2017

Disclaimer

Manuscripts that are Published Ahead of Print have been peer reviewed and accepted for publication by the Editorial Board of the West Indian Medical Journal. They may appear in their original format and may not be copy edited or formatted in the style guide of this Journal. While accepted manuscripts are not yet assigned a volume, issue or page numbers, they can be cited using the DOI and date of e-publication. See our Instructions for Authors on how to properly cite manuscripts at this stage. The contents of the manuscript may change before it is published in its final form. Manuscripts in this section will be removed once they have been issued to a volume and issue, but will still retain the DOI and date of e-publication.

Top of Page