Cardiology - Cardiac tamponade

Question 1

What is cardiac tamponade?

Answer 1

compression of the heart from content build-up in the pericardium

Question 2

What are four common causes of cardiac tamponade?

Answer 2

Pericarditis
Tuberculosis
Trauma
Hypothyroidism

Question 3

How does cardiac tamponade occur?

Answer 3

Any effusion or blood within the pericardial space can cause tamponade

Question 4

What are 3 symptoms of cardiac tamponade?

Answer 4

Becks triad
Peripheral oedema (subacute cardiac tamponade)
pain in upper right abdomen

Question 5

What is Becks triad?

Answer 5

The classic findings in cardiac tamponade. A combination of hypotension, distended JVP and muffled heart sounds

Question 6

What is the management for cardiac tamponade?

Answer 6

Needle pericardiocentesis to drain the pericardial fluid