Cardiac tamponade

Question 1

Describe cardiac tamponade. (1)
More commonly seen in what kind of trauma?

Answer 1

• Pericardial sac fills up with blood
• More common in penetrating thoracic trauma than blunt trauma

Question 2

How much blood needs to accumulate in the pericardial sac before it can impair cardiac filling?

Answer 2

• As little as 75 mL

Question 3

What kind of shock does cardiac tamponade cause?

Answer 3

• Obstructive shock

Question 4

Physical examination of sign of someone with Cardiac tamponade? (5)

Answer 4

1) Tachycardia
2)Cool peripheries
- Beck’s triad:
3) Distended neck veins
4) Hypotension
5) Muffled heart sounds

Question 5

What test can rapidly diagnose cardiac tamponade?

Answer 5

Ultrasound FAST (Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma)

Question 6

What is the treatment of cardiac tamponade? (2)

Answer 6

• Needle pericardiocentesis under ultrasound guided- rapid evacuation of pericardial space –> over the apex of heart
• May need open thoracotomy