Utilizing ultrasound during a cardiac resuscitation can be difficult to implement and interpret. In this video we will review a case that was difficult to interpret due to the pathological findings.
Remember the binary questions when interpreting any cardiac ultrasound:
1 - Is there cardiac motion?
2 - Is the global function normal?
If the global function is not normal is it:
2a - Hyperdynamic?
2b - Depressed?
2c - Severely depressed?
3 - Is there fluid surrounding the heart (Pericardial effusion)?
3a - Is there a pericardial effusion is there diastolic collapse of the RA or RV free wall?
4- Do any the chambers of the heart appear NOT to be of normal size?
5 - Is the IVC collapsed?
5a - If not is there respiratory variation with greater than 50% collapse?
6 - Anything else?
In this video we will see sonographic views showing cardiac standstill (systole) with a clotted hemopericardium.
