What is cardiac tamponade?

What is cardiac tamponade?

• A. Obstruction of the coronary arteries
• B. Enlargement of the heart due to dilated cardiomyopathy
• C. Inflammation of the pericardium without effusion
• D. Compression of the heart due to blood or fluid accumulation between the myocardium and pericardium

Answer: (D)

Tamponade happens when fluid or blood collects in the pericardial sac enough to squeeze the heart from the outside. That external pressure prevents the ventricles from filling properly during diastole, so the amount the heart can pump (stroke volume) drops and overall cardiac output decreases. Because the pericardial pressure is transmitted to all chambers, diastolic pressures tend to equalize and venous return is impaired, leading to symptoms like low blood pressure, raised neck venous pressure, and often muffled heart sounds (Beck’s triad); a rapid rise in pressure can also cause a noticeable drop in systolic blood pressure with inspiration (pulsus paradoxus) and may show electrical changes on the monitor such as electrical alternans. Emergent relief comes from removing the fluid, typically with pericardiocentesis or surgical drainage, while supporting circulation. This phenomenon is distinct from blockage of a coronary artery, enlargement from dilated cardiomyopathy, or inflammation of the pericardium without fluid.

Tamponade happens when fluid or blood collects in the pericardial sac enough to squeeze the heart from the outside. That external pressure prevents the ventricles from filling properly during diastole, so the amount the heart can pump (stroke volume) drops and overall cardiac output decreases. Because the pericardial pressure is transmitted to all chambers, diastolic pressures tend to equalize and venous return is impaired, leading to symptoms like low blood pressure, raised neck venous pressure, and often muffled heart sounds (Beck’s triad); a rapid rise in pressure can also cause a noticeable drop in systolic blood pressure with inspiration (pulsus paradoxus) and may show electrical changes on the monitor such as electrical alternans. Emergent relief comes from removing the fluid, typically with pericardiocentesis or surgical drainage, while supporting circulation. This phenomenon is distinct from blockage of a coronary artery, enlargement from dilated cardiomyopathy, or inflammation of the pericardium without fluid.