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| '''Cardiac tamponade''' is a condition where a [[pericardial effusion]] compresses the heart, leading to life-threatening [[acute heart failure]]. This occurs if the pericardial effusion develops rapidly or is large. It’s an emergency which should be treated empirically even before a proper diagnosis is made.
| | #REDIRECT [[Pericardial effusion]] |
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| == Etiology ==
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| * Acute [[pericarditis]]
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| * Cardiac wall rupture (trauma, [[Acute myocardial infarction|MI]])
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| * Cardiac surgery
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| == Clinical features ==
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| Cardiac tamponade has a distinct clinical presentation:
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| * [[Hypotension]]
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| * Tachycardia
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| * Jugular venous congestion
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| * <abbr>[[Pulsus paradoxus]]</abbr>
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| == Diagnosis and evaluation ==
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| * [[Electrocardiography|ECG]] – low voltage, electrical alternans
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| * [[Chest x-ray|X-ray]] – enlarged cardiac silhouette
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| * [[Echocardiography]] – large effusion, collapse of chambers, swinging of the heart
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| == Treatment ==
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| Treatment should not be delayed due to diagnostic evaluations. Treatment is by pericardiocentesis, under [[ultrasound]] or [[Fluoroscopy|fluoroscopic]] guidance. If unsuccessful, surgery may be necessary.
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| [[Category:Cardiology]] | | [[Category:Cardiology]] |
| [[Category:Internal Medicine (POTE course)]] | | [[Category:Internal Medicine (POTE course)]] |