A 77-year-old woman presents to the emergency department. She is breathless and finds it difficult to talk in full sentences. Clinical Scenarios
On examination, she is centrally cyanosed with cool extremities. Her pulse is 110 beats per minute and systolic blood pressure is only just recordable at 80 mmHg. Jugular venous pressure is elevated 5 cm above normal, there is a gallop rhythm, and the apex beat is displaced. Respiratory rate is increased and she has widespread crackles and wheezes on chest examination.
Would you request any tests?
What management would you recommend?
What is the most likely diagnosis?
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