Assessment and Management of Pediatric Trauma
Module 5: Pediatric Blunt Abdominal and Chest Trauma
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Pericardial tamponade

Pericardial tamponade: occurs when blood collects in the pericardial space, impairs cardiac filling and reduces cardiac output (this is very rare in blunt pediatric trauma)

Diagnose tamponade by:

  • Muffled heart sounds and distended neck veins
  • Cardiac shadow on chest x-ray may be enlarged
  • Shock: tachycardia, hypotension, low urine output, cool skin
  • Hypotension, muffled heart sounds and distended neck veins: “Beck’s triad”
  • Pericardial fluid and abnormal cardiac wall motion on ultrasound (echocardiography)
Arrows show blood accumulating around the heart,  within the pericardium
Module 5: Pediatric Blunt Abdominal and Chest Trauma