Best Case Ever 31: Emergency Pericardiocentesis

On this EM Cases Best Case Ever, Andrew Sloas, the brains behinds the fabulous PEM-ED podcast tells the tale of an emergency pericardiocentesis gone bad and what he learned from it. Emergency pericardicentesis can be life saving, but it also carries risks. Dr. Sloas reviews the steps to take to ensure that the pericardiocentesis needle is the the correct place to minimize the risk of intubating the right ventricle of the heart. A discussion of errors of omission and ones of commission follows. As in FOAMed, let the bubbles show the way....



Published January 2015

For a detailed discussion on pericardiocentesis with Jordan Chenkin & Jamie Blicker visit Episode 30: Central Lines, Surgical Airways & Pericardiocentesis

Article from Circulation 'Echo-Guided Pericardiocentesis - Let the Bubbles Show the Way' Full PDF

For POCUS guided pericardiocentesis technique watch this video

http://youtu.be/M4vHEr25yFk

Dr. Helman and Dr. Sloas have no conflicts of interest to declare