- Pericardial Tamponade
- Large pericardial effusion
- The heart appears to swing and is surrounded by a large amount of fluid
- Pericardial tamponade physiology
- Right atrial collapse noted in diastole
- Echocardiographic Assessment: Subcostal Long Axis
- The subcostal long axis is the best view to evaluate the size and extent of a pericardial effusion
- Assess for pericardial effusion
- anteriorly, laterally, apically and circumferentially
- measure fluid by 2D at end diastole
- Assess for right ventricular diastolic collapse
- Assess for right atrial systolic collapse
- Assess ventricular systolic function qualitatively
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- Transducer on abdomen just below xyphoid process
- Notch at 3 o'clock
- Transducer tilted slightly anteriorly (tail down)