Cardiac Tamponade

Question 1

Cardiac Tamponade

Answer 1

Accumulation of fluid in the pericardial space –> increased intracardiac pressure –> limited ventricular filling and decreased cardiac output

Question 2

3 MC causes of cardiac tamponade

Answer 2

neoplastic disease
idiopathic pericarditis
renal failure

Question 3

Beck’s Triad

Answer 3

hypotension
neck vein engorgement
muffled/distant heart sounds

Question 4

Other manifestations of cardiac tamponade

Answer 4

tachycardia
tachypnea
PULSUS PARADOXUS - > 10 mmHg decrease in SBP during inspiration

Question 5

ECG findings in cardiac tamponade

Answer 5

low voltage QRS complexes w/ electrical alternans

Question 6

Chest radiograph findings in cardiac tamponade

Answer 6

water bottle sign

Question 7

2D echo findings in cardiac tamponade

Answer 7

large pericardial effusion w/ RA and RV diastolic collapse

Question 8

Management of cardiac tamponade

Answer 8

emergency pericardiocentesis

tube pericardiostomy w/ creation of pericardial window ( for recurrent, infectious, malignant and other chronic causes)