Cardiac tamponade is a condition where the heart is compressed when blood or fluid builds up in the space between the myocardium & the pericardium, thus preventing the ventricles from expanding fully. The blood or fluid build can occur due to pericardial effusion, dissecting aortic aneurysm, pericarditis, myocardial infarction, wounds to the heart, recent heart surgery etc.
Patient experiences
- Fainting
- Dyspnoea
- Anxiety
- Sharp, stabbing chest pain worsened by deep breathing or coughing
- Palpitations
- Swelling of abdomen or other areas
Signs noticed upon examination
- Low blood pressure
- Faint heart sounds
- Peripheral pulses may be weak or absent
Diagnosis can be established via echocardiogram, ECG, chest x-ray, CT, or MRI.
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