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

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

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Abstract 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 Pool Skimmers 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 T-shirt 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.