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Cardiac tamponade, also known as pericardial tamponade (/ ˌ t æ m. p ə ˈ n eɪ d / [4]), is a compression of the heart due to pericardial effusion (the build-up of pericardial fluid in the sac around the heart). [2] Onset may be rapid or gradual. [2]
A pericardial effusion with enough pressure to adversely affect heart function is called cardiac tamponade. [1] Pericardial effusions can cause cardiac tamponade in acute settings with fluid as little as 150mL. In chronic settings, however, fluid can accumulate anywhere up to 2L before an effusion causes cardiac tamponade.
Purulent Pericarditis; Echocardiogram showing pericardial effusion with signs of cardiac tamponade: Specialty: Cardiology: Symptoms: substernal chest pain (exacerbated supine and with breathing deeply), dyspnea, fever, rigors/chills, and cardiorespiratory signs (i.e., tachycardia, friction rub, pulsus paradoxus, pericardial effusion, cardiac tamponade, pleural effusion)
It is clinically similar to a pericardial effusion, and, depending on the volume and rapidity with which it develops, may cause cardiac tamponade. [ 1 ] The condition can be caused by full-thickness necrosis (death) of the myocardium (heart muscle) after myocardial infarction , chest trauma , [ 2 ] and by over-prescription of anticoagulants .
A pericardial effusion is fluid in the pericardial sac. When large enough, the pressure compresses the heart. This causes shock by preventing the heart from filling with blood. This is called cardiac tamponade. The chambers of the heart can collapse from this pressure. The right heart has thinner walls and collapses more easily.
Pericardiocentesis can be used to diagnose and treat cardiac tamponade. [3] [4] Cardiac tamponade is a medical emergency in which excessive accumulation of fluid within the pericardium (pericardial effusion) creates increased pressure. [5] This prevents the heart from filling normally with blood.
The diagnosis of tamponade can be confirmed with trans-thoracic echocardiography (TTE), which should show a large pericardial effusion and diastolic collapse of the right ventricle and right atrium. Chest X-ray usually shows an enlarged cardiac silhouette ("water bottle" appearance) and clear lungs. Pulmonary congestion is typically not seen ...
Pericardiocentesis is a procedure whereby the fluid in a pericardial effusion is removed through a needle. It is performed under the following conditions: [15] presence of moderate or severe cardiac tamponade; diagnostic purpose for suspected purulent, tuberculosis, or neoplastic pericarditis; persistent symptomatic pericardial effusion