Hey everyone, welcome back to MasterUSMLE! Today, we’re covering a must-know emergency—purulent pericarditis. This is fast, fatal, and needs immediate action.
Picture this: A patient with fever, chills, tachycardia, distant heart sounds, and a pericardial effusion. The ECG? Low-voltage QRS. The x-ray? Enlarged cardiac silhouette, clear lungs.
What’s the move? Drop everything and do a pericardiocentesis—NOW. This is the only way to drain the infection and prevent tamponade. And don’t forget broad-spectrum IV antibiotics—we’re usually dealing with Staph aureus, especially in dialysis or immunocompromised patients.
The key takeaway? Purulent pericarditis = pericardiocentesis ASAP. No waiting. No delays. This is life-threatening.
That’s it for today—keep it simple, stay sharp, and I’ll catch you next time on MasterUSMLE!
