Cardiac tamponade--still a difficult clinical diagnosis

A 51-year-old man with multiple risk factors for ischaemic heart disease attended the emergency department (ED) with sudden-onset chest pain, dizziness and breathlessness. He was tachycardic but had normal heart sounds and normal QRS complexes on ECG. Bedside ultrasound was performed, revealing a pericardial effusion. Emergent pericardiocentesis was performed with excellent outcome. This case highlights the importance of early detection of cardiac tamponade as well as the role of bedside ultrasound in diagnosis and management of the condition.