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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]
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.
For example: cardiac tamponade is a condition where fluid collects in the pericardial sac increasing pressure within the pericardium which in turn prevents the ventricles from expanding fully significantly reducing the efficiency of the heart. It is considered a medical emergency and if left unchecked is fatal.
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 .
Pericardial effusion due to a viral infection usually resolves within a few weeks without any treatment. [8] Small pericardial effusions without any symptoms don't require treatment and may be watched with serial ultrasounds. [2] If the effusion is compromising heart function and causing cardiac tamponade, it will need to be drained. [1]
Beck's triad is a collection of three medical signs associated with acute cardiac tamponade, a medical emergency when excessive fluid accumulates in the pericardial sac around the heart and impairs its ability to pump blood. The signs are low arterial blood pressure, distended neck veins, and distant, muffled heart sounds. [1]
Complications include pericarditis, pericardial effusion, pleuritis, pulmonary infiltration, and very rarely pericardial tamponade. Of these cardiac tamponade is the most life-threatening complication. The pericardial fluid increases intra-pericardial pressure therefore preventing complete expansion of the atria and the ventricles upon the ...