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Abstract
A 39-year-old male arrived in the emergency department with multiple stab wounds to
the chest. A pneumopericardium was present on initial chest x-ray study. He subsequently
developed hypotension, tachycardia, an elevated CVP (36 cm H2O) and a pulsus paradoxus. All parameters improved following removal of 100 cc of
air by pericardiocentesis. The etiology, diagnosis, pathophysiology, and treatment
of tension pneumopericardium are discussed.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
March 6,
1985
Received:
January 3,
1985
Identification
Copyright
© 1985 Published by Elsevier Inc.
