Cardiac tamponade

Question 1

What is cardiac tamponade?

Answer 1

Pericardiac effusion that reduces ventricular filling and causes drop in cardiac output

Question 2

What are the clinical features of cardiac tamponade?

Answer 2

(Beck triad) Hypotension, Muffled heart sounds, Distended neck veins
Tachycardia, pulsus paradoxus (pathologic decrease (> 10 mm Hg) in systolic blood pressure during inspiration)
Clammy

Question 3

How is cardiac tamponade diagnosed?

Answer 3

Beck triad
Diagnosis similar to pericardial effusion
May be systolic collapse of right atrium and ventricle on ECHO

Question 4

What is the treatment of cardiac tamponade?

Answer 4

(Urgent pericardiocentesis)

(Inotropic support) Dobutamine + fluid resuscitation in hypovolemic patients