Steve, age 51, came into the Valley West Emergency Department complaining of shortness of breath. He explained that he had just had aortic valve replacement and thoracic aneurysm repair surgery, so his symptoms were troubling.

Dr. James Fedinec, emergency department physician and registered diagnostic medical sonographer, rapidly performed a cardiac ultrasound which revealed a life-threatening condition, a very large pericardial effusion with tamponade physiology. The sac around his heart had filled to a dangerous level of blood which was causing his heart to stop filling.

The quick diagnosis allowed him to be stabilized and transferred to a heart hospital where he underwent surgery to drain the fluid. The surgeon on the receiving end credited the Valley West Emergency Department for expediting the diagnosis and saving Steve’s life.

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