Cardiac Tamponade Flashcards
1
Q
what is cardiac tamponade?
A
life-threatening condition characterised by an accumulation of blood in the pericardial sac
2
Q
what are the causes of cardiac tamponade?
A
- penetrating wounds
- pericarditis
- malignancy
- inflammatory conditions - e.g. SLE
3
Q
what are the clinical features of cardiac tamponade?
A
- becks triad
- kussmaul’s sign
- pulsus paradoxus
- electrical alternans
4
Q
what is becks triad?
A
- raised JVP
- hypotension
- muffled heart sounds
5
Q
what is Kussmauls sign?
A
rise of JVP with inspiration
6
Q
what is pulsus paradoxus?
A
drop in systolic blood pressure with inspiration
7
Q
what is electrical alternans?
A
alternating height of QRS complexes on ECG
8
Q
what is the most useful diagnostic investigation in cardiac tamponade?
A
echo
9
Q
how is cardiac tamponade managed?
A
pericardiocentesis
