Question of the Week: July 2, 2012

Question: What are the three component of Beck’s Triad? What does it indicate?

Answer: The three components of Beck’s Triad are: 1. Decreasing arterial pressure/narrowing pulse pressure; 2. Jugular venous distention; 3. Muffled heart sounds. Although this is widely heralded as diagnostic for cardiac tamponade, it is rare for all symptoms to be found together. In EMS, muffled heart sounds may be difficult to auscultate, especially in a moving ambulance.

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