Point-of-Care Ultrasound as a Key Diagnostic Tool in the Emergency Detection of Severe Pericardial Effusion

Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) has become an essential extension of the physical examination in the emergency department, enabling rapid bedside assessment and timely clinical decision-making. We report a case of a 58-year-old female presenting with progressive dyspnea initially suggestive of a pulmonary etiology. Chest radiography revealed a right pleural effusion and apparent cardiomegaly. Bedside POCUS promptly identified a large circumferential pericardial effusion with echocardiographic signs of early cardiac tamponade, leading to immediate cardiology referral, intensive care admission, and pericardial drainage. This case highlights the pivotal role of POCUS in the early detection of life-threatening pericardial disease and its impact on clinical management and patient outcomes.