Repeat Point-of-Care Echocardiographic Evaluation of Traumatic Cardiac Arrest: A New Paradigm for the Emergency Physician

Clin Pract Cases Emerg Med. 2017 May 23;1(3):194-196. doi: 10.5811/cpcem.2017.2.33021. eCollection 2017 Aug.

Abstract

We report a case of a 52-year-old man who presented to the emergency department (ED) in extremis (hypotensive with an altered sensorium) with subsequent cardiac arrest after a motor vehicle collision. The initial trauma evaluation did not reveal a source of the hemodynamic compromise. A point-of-care ultrasound revealed severe mitral regurgitation secondary to an anterolateral papillary muscle rupture. Patient underwent successful emergent mitral valve replacement after initial resuscitative efforts and intraaortic balloon pump placement.

Publication types

  • Case Reports