Pericardial Tamponade
Pericardial tamponade, also known as, cardiac tamponade, is a life-threatening medical condition that arises when blood or fluid builds up and fill the space between the thin double walled sac around the heart (pericardium) placing extreme strain on the heart thereby resulting in contraction of the heart.
The strain prevents the heart and ventricles from fully expanding and keeps the heart from proper functioning. The cavity that surrounds the heart can be filled with blood or other bodily fluids to compress the heart. As the fluid presses on the heart, the heart is unable to pump enough blood to the rest of the body. The lack of blood to the heart and the rest of the body can eventually cause shock, organ failure, and cardiac arrest.
CAUSES
Pericardial penetration or fluid accumulation causes might include:
Excessive pericardial fluid
Gunshot or stab wounds
A wound or rupture to the heart
Blunt trauma to the chest from a car accident
Cancer that has spread to the pericardial sac, such as breast or lung cancer
An inflammation of the pericardium
Lupus, an inflammatory disease in which the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissues
High levels of radiation to the chest
A heart attack
Kidney failure
Infections that affect the heart
Signs and Symptoms
Pericardial tamponade has the following symptoms:
Anxiety and restlessness
Low blood pressure
Weakness
Chest pain radiating to your neck, shoulders, or back
Trouble breathing or taking deep breaths
Rapid breathing
Discomfort that is relieved by sitting or leaning forward
Fainting, dizziness, and loss of consciousness
DIAGNOSIS
Pericardial tamponade often come with three signs that are easily recognizable by a doctor. These signs are known as Beck’s triad. They include:
Abnormal low blood pressure and weak pulse due to reduction in the level of blood the heart is
pumping,
Elongated neck veins as they are having trouble returning blood to the heart,
A rapid heartbeat combined with muffled heart rhythm because of the expansion of the layer of fluid in
the pericardium.
To be certain, further test might be conducted by the doctor. One such test is an echocardiogram, which is an ultrasound to examine the structure and functioning of the heart for abnormalities. The result may show an extended, globe-shaped heart if there is a presence of pericardial tamponade. Other diagnostic
tests may include:
An electrocardiogram to assess the heart rhythm,
A thoracic CT scan to check for fluid accumulation in the chest or changes to the heart,
A magnetic resonance angiogram to visualize the blood vessel.
TREATMENT
Pericardial tamponade is a life threatening and requires hospitalization. The main purposes of treatment is to;
1. To relieve tension on the heart and
2. To treat the underlying condition.
The fluid in the pericardial sac is drained, typically with a needle. This procedure is called pericardiocentesis. The doctor may then perform a more invasive procedure called a thoracotomy to drain blood or remove blood clots if there is a penetrating wound.