Cardiac tamponade occurs when fluid builds up between the heart muscle and the surrounding tissue (called the pericardium). This fluid compresses the heart. Because of this, enough blood cannot be pumped in and out of the heart.
This condition can be life-threatening. With proper treatment, prognosis is good. Cardiac tamponade can recur after treatment, though.
Cardiac tamponade can be caused by a variety of factors and conditions, including:
These factors increase your chance of developing this condition. Tell your doctor if you have any of these risk factors:
Symptoms vary from mild to severe. They typically include one or more of the following:
Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. You will also be examined. If you have a significant change in blood pressure between breaths, this is one way your doctor will diagnose this condition.
The following tests are also used for diagnosis:
This is a serious condition. It can be life-threatening and requires immediate hospitalization and treatment.
Treatments are administered to:
Treatments that are administered for cardiac tamponade include:
If you are diagnosed with cardiac tamponade, follow your doctor's instructions.
RESOURCES:
American Heart Association
http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=1200000
US National Library of Medicine
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Canadian Cardiovascular Society
http://www.ccs.ca/home/index_e.aspx
Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada
http://ww2.heartandstroke.ca/Page.asp?PageID=24
References:
Braverman A, Sundaresan S. Cardiac tamponade and severe ventricular dysfunction. Ann Intern Med . 1994;120:5:442. Available at: http://www.annals.org/cgi/content/full/120/5/442 . Accessed April 15, 2007.
Cardiac tamponade. University of California, San Francisco Department of Medicine website. Available at: http://medicine.ucsf.edu/housestaff/Chiefs_cover_sheets/tamponade.pdf . Accessed April 15, 2007.
Heart disease: pericarditis. The Mayo Clinic website. Available at: http://mayoclinic.com/health/pericarditis/DS00505/DSECTION=6 . Accessed April 15, 2007.
Last reviewed November 2008 by Michael J. Fucci, DO
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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