Cardiac Tamponade

Question 1

cardiac tamponade

Answer 1

• external pressure on heart (compression)
• develops secondary to pericarditis (pressure from fluid accum), but can be caused by other things)
• d/t accum of fluid, pus (bacterial infect), or air in pericardial space
• obstructive shock –> impacts filling & emptying –> life threatening
• can be fatal

Question 2

mnfts

Answer 2

• dec CO, dec arterial pressure (hypotension)
• hypoxia & hypoperfusion –> shock responses induce tachycardia
• muffled “distant” heart sounds
• distention of neck veins

Question 3

Tx

Answer 3

stat pericardiocentesis (removal of fluid within pericardial space)