Correct!
2. Pericardial effusion
The presence of lung sliding is normal (2). The absence of lung sliding indicates a pneumothorax and is a sensitive sign on beside ultrasound. The inferior vena cava is not small indicating the patient is not volume depleted. There is a large pericardial effusion (Figure 3).
Figure 3. Bedside ultrasound. Left apical view showing a large pericardial effusion (arrow).
Other bedside ultrasound views showed collapse of the right atrium and ventricle consistent with cardiac tamponade. Pericardiocentesis was performed with the removal of 850 ml of serosanguineous fluid. There was an almost immediate resolution of the patient’s dyspnea and her vital signs returned to normal. Her creatinine decreased over 3 days and she was discharged to home.
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