Pericardial Tamponade Flashcards
(15 cards)
What is pericardial tamponade?
A collection of pericardial fluid that accumulates around the heart, impairing cardiac filling due to increased intrapericardial pressure.
Tamponade occurs when pericardial effusion leads to pressure greater than intracardiac pressure.
What is the most common pediatric etiology of pericardial tamponade following cardiac surgery?
54% of cases, most common after ASD repair with an incidence as high as 28%.
ASD stands for atrial septal defect.
What percentage of pediatric pericardial tamponade cases is due to neoplasia?
13%.
Neoplasia refers to the presence of a tumor or abnormal growth of tissue.
What are the common causes of pericardial tamponade in pediatric patients? List them.
- Following cardiac surgery (54%)
- Neoplasia (13%)
- Renal diseases (13%)
- Idiopathic or viral pericarditis (5%)
- Rheumatologic diseases (5%)
These percentages indicate the relative frequency of each cause.
What are the types of pericardial effusion?
- Transudative
- Exudative
- Hemorrhagic
Each type has different underlying causes.
What are examples of transudative causes of pericardial effusion?
- CHF
- Myxedema
- Nephrotic syndrome
CHF stands for congestive heart failure.
What are examples of exudative causes of pericardial effusion?
- TB
- Empyema
TB stands for tuberculosis.
What are examples of hemorrhagic causes of pericardial effusion?
- Trauma
- Ruptured aneurysm
Hemorrhagic effusions are typically due to bleeding into the pericardial space.
True or False: Idiopathic pericarditis accounts for 5% of pediatric cases of pericardial tamponade.
True
Idiopathic pericarditis is inflammation of the pericardium without a known cause.
What is the pericardium’s response to increased fluid?
Limited stretch response
After a certain point, intrapericardial pressure begins to rise steeply.
What happens when intrapericardial pressure exceeds intracardiac pressure?
Diastolic pressure among all 4 chambers equalizes
This results in increased ventricular interdependence.
What is the effect of increased ventricular interdependence?
Impaired cardiac filling and stroke volume
This occurs when intrapericardial pressure is significantly elevated.
In what condition does intrapericardial pressure rise more quickly?
Rapidly accumulating effusion
Less volume is needed for a steep rise in pressure under these circumstances.
Which conditions may mask findings of pericardial tamponade?
Reduced ventricular interdependence conditions such as:
* Pulmonary hypertension
* Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
These conditions can obscure the typical signs of tamponade.
Fill in the blank: When intrapericardial pressure becomes greater than ________, diastolic pressure among all 4 chambers equalizes.
intracardiac pressure
