Point-of-care ultrasound after attempted suicidal hanging

• Published in: Archives de pédiatrie : organe officiel de la Société française de pédiatrie Vol. 28; no. 4; pp. 342 - 344
• Main Authors: Palanca Arias, D., Gutiérrez Sánchez, A., Estaben Boldova, V., Ayerza Casas, A., Madurga Revilla, P.., García Íñiguez, J.P.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: France Elsevier Masson SAS 01.05.2021
• Subjects: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation; Focused cardiac ultrasound; Left ventricular dysfunction; Point-of-care ultrasound; Suicidal hanging; Focused cardiac ultrasound; Left ventricular dysfunction; Point-of-care ultrasound; Cardiopulmonary resuscitation; Suicidal hanging
• ISSN: 0929-693X; 1769-664X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.arcped.2021.03.005

Focused cardiac ultrasound (FoCUS) can provide critical information quickly to determine the etiology after cardiac arrest and may expedite a diagnosis in order to identify underlying treatable causes. We present a case of reversible acute left ventricular dysfunction after cardiopulmonary resuscitation following attempted suicide by hanging presenting with severe hypoxemia. FoCUS revealed findings consistent with severe left ventricular dysfunction, and point-of-care ultrasound (PoCUS) ruled out pneumothorax. These findings, in conjunction with the clinical presentation, facilitated an early identification and rapid evaluation of cardiogenic shock; furthermore, they led to the use of FoCUS, which can provide critical information quickly on site for a patient who is suddenly symptomatic after severe mechanical asphyxia in the pediatric emergency department, pediatric intensive care unit, or the prehospital setting.