Cardiac Tamponade

Question 1

What is cardiac Tamponade?

Answer 1

• Increase in pressure in the pericardial sac

- 20 to 50 mL of blood/fluid can cause a tamponade

Question 2

Compressing the heart leads to

Answer 2

1. Impaired filling

2. Reduced CO

Question 3

Cardiac Tamponade etiologies (4)

Answer 3

1. Trauma (blood)
2. Effusion (cancers, infections)
3. Drug reactions
4. Anything that can change the permeability and let more fluid in

Question 4

Key symptoms of Cardiac Tamponade

Answer 4

• Elevated CVP and JVD
• Narrows pulse pressure
• Muffled heart sounds

Question 5

Narrowed pulse pressure

Answer 5

• Narrow: low stroke volume (CHF, cariogenic shock, aortic stenosis, tamponade)

Question 6

Wide pulse pressure

Answer 6

• Wide: Increased stroke volume (exercise, increased inter cranial pressure, and aortic regurgitation)

Question 7

Diagnostics to cardiac tamponade

Answer 7

• EKG low amp QRS
• CXR
• CT

Question 8

Cardiac Tamponade Treatment

Answer 8

• Pericardial window: nurse draws fluid out

- Pericardiocentesis: x1 needle aspiration