Because decompensated heart failure(HF)patients present primarily with symptoms of congestion,the assessment of volume status is of paramount importance.Despite the addition of new technologies that can predict intrac...Because decompensated heart failure(HF)patients present primarily with symptoms of congestion,the assessment of volume status is of paramount importance.Despite the addition of new technologies that can predict intracardiac filling pressures,the physical exam(PE)remains the most accessible and cost-effective tool available to clinicians.An elevated jugular venous pressure(JVP) is considered the most sensitive sign of volume overload,although the commonly used‘method of Lewis’has several limitations.A useful cutoff is that if the JVP is greater than 3 cm in vertical distance above the sternal angle,the central venous pressure is elevated.In addition to assessment of volume status,the PE in HF can reveal adverse prognostic signs,namely:elevated JVP,presence of third heart sound,elevated heart rate,low systolic BP,and low proportional pulse pressure(＜25%).This article will review the evidence for the diagnostic and prognostic utility of common PE findings in HF.展开更多
BACKGROUND: Diagnosing pericardial effusion is critical for optimal patient care. Typically, clinicians use physical examination ? ndings and historical features suggesting pericardial effusion to determine which pati...BACKGROUND: Diagnosing pericardial effusion is critical for optimal patient care. Typically, clinicians use physical examination ? ndings and historical features suggesting pericardial effusion to determine which patients require echocardiography. The diagnostic characteristics of these tools are not well described. The objective of this study is to determine the prevalence of historical features and sensitivity of clinical signs to inform clinicians when to proceed with echocardiogram.METHODS: A retrospective review of point-of-care echocardiograms performed over a two and a half year period in two emergency departments were reviewed for the presence of a pericardial effusion. Patient charts were reviewed and abstracted for presenting symptoms, historical features and clinical findings. The prevalence of presenting symptoms and historical features and the sensitivity of classic physical examination ? ndings associated with pericardial effusion and tamponade were determined.RESULTS: One hundred and fifty-three patients with pericardial effusion were identified. Of these patients, the most common presenting complaint was chest pain and shortness of breath. Patients had no historical features that would suggest pericardial effusion in 37.5% of cases. None of the patients with pericardial effusion or pericardial tamponade had all of the elements of Beck's triad. The sensitivity of Beck's triad was found to be 0(0%–19.4%). The sensitivity for one ? nding of Beck's triad to diagnose pericardial tamponade was 50%(28.0%–72.0%).CONCLUSION: History and physical examination findings perform poorly as tests for the diagnosis of pericardial effusion or pericardial tamponade. Clinicians must liberally evaluate patients suspected of having a pericardial effusion with echocardiography.展开更多
文摘Because decompensated heart failure(HF)patients present primarily with symptoms of congestion,the assessment of volume status is of paramount importance.Despite the addition of new technologies that can predict intracardiac filling pressures,the physical exam(PE)remains the most accessible and cost-effective tool available to clinicians.An elevated jugular venous pressure(JVP) is considered the most sensitive sign of volume overload,although the commonly used‘method of Lewis’has several limitations.A useful cutoff is that if the JVP is greater than 3 cm in vertical distance above the sternal angle,the central venous pressure is elevated.In addition to assessment of volume status,the PE in HF can reveal adverse prognostic signs,namely:elevated JVP,presence of third heart sound,elevated heart rate,low systolic BP,and low proportional pulse pressure(＜25%).This article will review the evidence for the diagnostic and prognostic utility of common PE findings in HF.
文摘BACKGROUND: Diagnosing pericardial effusion is critical for optimal patient care. Typically, clinicians use physical examination ? ndings and historical features suggesting pericardial effusion to determine which patients require echocardiography. The diagnostic characteristics of these tools are not well described. The objective of this study is to determine the prevalence of historical features and sensitivity of clinical signs to inform clinicians when to proceed with echocardiogram.METHODS: A retrospective review of point-of-care echocardiograms performed over a two and a half year period in two emergency departments were reviewed for the presence of a pericardial effusion. Patient charts were reviewed and abstracted for presenting symptoms, historical features and clinical findings. The prevalence of presenting symptoms and historical features and the sensitivity of classic physical examination ? ndings associated with pericardial effusion and tamponade were determined.RESULTS: One hundred and fifty-three patients with pericardial effusion were identified. Of these patients, the most common presenting complaint was chest pain and shortness of breath. Patients had no historical features that would suggest pericardial effusion in 37.5% of cases. None of the patients with pericardial effusion or pericardial tamponade had all of the elements of Beck's triad. The sensitivity of Beck's triad was found to be 0(0%–19.4%). The sensitivity for one ? nding of Beck's triad to diagnose pericardial tamponade was 50%(28.0%–72.0%).CONCLUSION: History and physical examination findings perform poorly as tests for the diagnosis of pericardial effusion or pericardial tamponade. Clinicians must liberally evaluate patients suspected of having a pericardial effusion with echocardiography.
