A Caveat to the Performance of Pericardial Ultrasound in Patients With Penetrating Cardiac Wounds

Abstract

The pericardial component of the FAST examination is commonly used for patients who present with penetrating wounds to the precordium. In cases of concurrent lacerations of the pericardial sac, pericardial ultrasound may not detect a cardiac injury because of associated decompression into the thoracic cavity.