Lung Ultrasound and Transthoracic Echocardiography in the Differentiation Between Pericardial and Left Pleural Effusion in a Cardiac Surgery Patient

In the postoperative cardiac patient, pericardial effusion can occur. In this case, the effusion is localized by adhesions to a small area of the pericardial space or consists of several areas of pericardial effusion separated by adhesions. The recognition of a pericardial effusion and its differentiation from a pleural effusion are especially important because hemodynamic compromise can occur even with a small fluid collection.1Chuttani K....