Truemag

  • HomeRemedy Land
    • Sitemapfor visitors
  • Contact usLet’s stay in touch

Cardiac tamponade

cardiac tamponade

Cardiac tamponade

What is cardiac tamponade

Cardiac tamponade is a rare life-threatening complication in which there is accumulation of the fluids, blood, clots, or gases in the pericardial space, the space between the myocardium and pericardium. Cardiac tamponade is the compression of the heart due to increased pericardial space pressure, which lead to insufficient blood ventricular fillings, reduced cardiac output and reduced blood pressure.

The accumulation of fluids in the pericardium, in quantity sufficient to cause significant obstruction of the blood flow in the heart chamber is leading to cardiac tamponade, and to a severe complications which could be fatal if they are not treated quickly.



Causes of cardiac tamponade

Causes of pericardial effusion and appearance of cardiac tamponade may be different, but the fluid in the pericardial space is most often affected because of pericarditis, chest trauma, aortic dissection, scarring, hypothyroidism, lung cancer, heart tumors, kidney failure, cancer of the blood cells, radiation therapy, wounds to the heart, systemic lupus erythematosus, uremia, and after a heart attack and open heart surgery. The amount of accumulated fluids in the pericardial space is not directly related to the appearance of cardiac tamponade. Rapid accumulation of small amounts of fluid can cause severe symptoms of cardiac tamponade because there is no time fpr pericardium to stretch enough, causing a sudden pressure on the heart and blood flow difficulties. If in the pericardial space the accumulation of fluids is slow, pericardium can adapt to large quantities of fluids even up to 2 liters without the occurrence of cardiac tamponade.



Most patients have a moderate amount of fluids in the pericardial space which does not lead to the occurrence of cardiac tamponade but can cause difficulty in breathing. In the clinical picture of cardiac tamponade we can see a drop in blood pressure, increased systemic venous pressure and tachycardia with silent heart murmur.

Signs and symptoms of cardiac tamponade

The most common symptoms which appear in accumulation of fluids in the pericardial space that lead to cardiac tamponade are dyspnea and precordial pain caused by pericarditis, which are reduced in the upright position and leaning forward. In condition that leads to the development of cardiac tamponade we can see the following signs: pericarditis, oscillating changes in the voltage of ECG, nonspecific changes in the ST segment and T wave, and X-ray of the heart and lungs is showing symmetrically enlarged cardiac shadow.



Cardiac tamponade is an acute condition accompanied by paleness, sweating and anxiety, leads to hypotension and tachycardia, swollen veins on the neck are visible. Echocardiography reveal the presence of free fluid in the pericardial space and diastolic collapse of right heart cavities. The main symptoms of cardiac tamponade are chest pain, shortness of breath and fatigue. Larger amount of fluids in the pericardial space can cause severe dyspnea due to pressure on the lungs, difficulty swallowing due to pressure on the esophagus, cough due to pressure on the trachea and bronchus and the urge to vomit because of the pressure on the abdominal organs. The patient is pale, and his fingers, nose and ears are bruised, patient is covered in sweat and his heart is working rapidly. In addition to standard tests of cardiac tamponade and tested for HIV and tuberculosis is applied. Cardiac catheterization with measurement of pressure in the heart chambers can help in diagnosis, but sometimes is a waste of time because cardiac tamponade is a life-threatening condition.

Treatment for cardiac tamponade

The treatment for cardiac tamponade comes down to the removal of fluids from the pericardial space and achievement of the normal blood flow. The fluid is removed with the help of the special needle and blood flow is achieved with intravenous saline. It’s also possible to remove part of the pericardium in order to remove fluids, but it’s rarely used.

During cardiac tamponade treatment, the oxygen is given to a patient. After removal of the fluids, reason for occurrence of cardiac tamponade must be revealed. Cardiac tamponade treatment outcome is good, but it can come back, if cardiac tamponade is untreated then cardiac tamponade can cause death.

Oct 15, 2012Igor Adamovic

You may also like:

  • Heart Attack – acute myocardial infarction

    Acute myocardial infarction or heart attack is sudden severe pain in the front of a chest, which leads to hypotension and shock.

     

  • Arteriosclerosis | Arteriosclerotic heart disease

    Arteriosclerotic heart disease or coronary artery atherosclerosis is the most common underlying cause of cardiovascular events and death.

     

  • Angina pectoris – (“My heart hurts”)

    Tightness or pressure as pain, retrosternal or easy to left (heart hurts). Angina pectoris occurs quickly during exertion, can extend and lose after the break.

     

The Blalock Taussig shuntAortitis
0
GooglePlus
0
Facebook
0
Twitter
0
Pinterest
heart-tune-up
  • Cardiology
    • Cardiology diseases & disorders
      • Angina pectoris
      • Aortic stenosis
      • Aortitis
      • Arteriosclerosis
      • Atrial septal defect
      • Bacterial endocarditis
      • Blalock Taussig shunt
      • Bradycardia symptoms
      • Cardiac tamponade
      • Cardiology
      • Coarctation of the aorta
      • Congenital heart disease
      • Deep vein thrombosis
      • Eisenmengers syndrome
      • Heart attack
      • Hypertension
      • Hypotension
      • Inappropriate sinus tachycardia
      • Kawasaki disease
      • Mitral valve stenosis
      • Patent ductus arteriosus
      • Precordial catch syndrome - Texidor’s Twinge
      • Pulmonary valve stenosis
      • Rheumatic fever
      • Signs of heart disease
      • Symptoms of heart disease
      • Tetralogy of Fallot
      • Tricuspid atresia
      • Ventricular septal defect
    • Cardiology procedures & tests
      • Blood pressure monitor
      • Cardiac pacemaker
      • Coronary angioplasty & stent
      • Coronary bypass
      • DDDR pacemaker
      • ECG monitoring
      • Echocardiography
      • Exercise testing
      • Fontan procedure
      • Glenn shunt
      • Holter
      • Pacemaker battery replacement
      • VVI pacemaker
  • Dental Care
    • Cosmetic dentistry
      • Bad breath remedies
      • Best whitening toothpaste
      • Teeth whitening home remedies
      • What causes yellow teeth
    • Dental problems & anatomy
      • Calcifying Odontogenic Cyst
      • Cementum
      • Cracked tooth syndrome
      • Dead tooth
      • Dental attrition
      • Dental caries
      • Dental crown pain
      • Dental deep cleaning
      • Dental erosion
      • Dental plaque
      • Edentulism
      • Focal infection
      • Loose teeth
      • Maxillary tuberosity
      • Pulp polyps
      • Pulp stones
      • Pulpitis or Toothache
      • Receding gums
      • Rotten teeth
      • Sensitive teeth
      • Tooth abscess & Gum abscess
      • Tooth charts
      • Wisdom teeth dry socket
    • Dental procedures & remedies
      • Clear braces or Invisible braces
      • Dental amalgam fillings
      • Dental Bonding & Dental Veneers
      • Dental bridges
      • Dental inlays & Dental onlays
      • Dental phobia or Dental fear
      • Gummy smile
      • Home remedies for gingivitis
      • Mini dental implants
      • Pulp test
      • Pulpotomy procedure
      • Wisdom teeth removal
    • Dental products & tools
      • Disposable toothbrush
      • Fluoride toothpaste
      • Gum stimulator
      • Interdental brushes
      • Orthodontic toothbrush
      • Plaque disclosing tablets
      • Toothbrush for braces
  • Health benefits of ...
    • Health benefits of natural products
      • Health benefits of honey
  • Skin & Nail & Hair Care
    • Hair care
      • Dandruff home remedies
      • Dry and damaged hair home remedies
      • Frizzy hair home remedies
      • Hair loss home remedies
      • Home remedies for split ends
      • How to shave your legs less
      • Oily hair home remedies
      • Premature hair greying home remedies
    • Nail care
      • Ingrown toenail
      • Koilonychia
      • Leukonychia
      • Melanonychia
      • Onychauxis
      • Onychia
      • Onychodystrophy
      • Onychogryphosis
      • Onycholysis
      • Onychomadesis
      • Onychomalacia
      • Onychophosis
      • Onychoptosis
      • Onychorrhexis
      • Paronychia
    • Skin care
      • Blackhead home remedies
      • Dry & cracked lips home remedies
      • Essential oils for skin
      • Home remedies for cellulite removal
      • How to remove hickey fast
      • Keloid
      • Stretch mark home remedies
      • Whitehead home remedies
teeth whitening home remedies
Latest posts:
  • Thyromegaly
  • Deglutition
  • Miosis
  • Tachypnea

Sitemap

Contact us

The purpose of this site Remedy Land is to better inform visitors about the

health and health related problems, for a professional medical opinion

please contact your medical facility.

Privacy Policy

About us

Copyright © 2012-2019 Remedy Land