Subxiphoid pericardial window in stable cardiac proximity injuries

The use of the subxiphoid pericardial window (SPW) in evaluating stable patients with cardiac proximity injuries is presented in a short case series. There were 11 patients with four positive and seven negative SPW. There was one false positive and no false negatives. Review of the literature on the use of the SPW as a diagnostic tool in evaluating cardiac proximity injuries shows the SPW to be a rapid and reliable method of detecting occult cardiac injuries, and is especially useful in areas where emergency echocardiography is not available.