For Cardiovascualr Examination- What scars should one be looking for?

Question

I have tried searching google for an image of the surgical scars one might see during a CVS examination- if someone has a picture of the diffrent scars one should look out for in the chest I would be appreciative if you could send the link.

Answer 1

Well, a midline sternotomy scar is a good start. Also look for any scars on the chest as some minimally invasive cardiac surgeries can be done with a very small incision. Also, not as speicific, look for scars on the neck where central lines were placed or in the groin where an aoritic ballon pump may have been inserted. Finally, look at the legs. If the patient had vein grafts taken, then they will have some scars on the medial aspect of their legs. Sorry, no pictures.

Hope this helps

Answer 2

As a healthcare provider doing a physical examination of the cardiopulmonary systems, I admit that I would scan for scars, but that is not going to be a great source of information about the systems you are examinating. I find auscultation and palpation the best sources. I am more visually looking for the PMI of the heart, cardiac heaves or thrills, pulmonary retractions, dyspnea, audible rales or rhonchi. It is escaping me why I would worry about a scar. If your patient can speak he can give you a history. If he can't speak, all a scar can tell you is that there was at one time a disruption of skin integrity which the patient survived. You cannot know , in general, when , whether it was an accident or an intentional surgical intervention, and what the intervention accomplished. It's not that scars are not important information....but it's definately not on the top of my list in this situation.