Subcostal view IVC during cardiac tamponade

(A) The subcostal view of the IVC in a patient with tamponade. The IVC is plethoric measuring over 20 mm in diameter.

(B) During inspiration, the IVC diameter fails to decrease. There is a large pericardial effusion (PE) surrounding the RA.

IVC: inferior vena cava; PE: pericardial effusion; RA: right atrial.

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