Skip to main content

CARDIAC TAMPONADE


CARDIAC TAMPONADE

The normal pericardium is a fibroelastic sac containing a thin layer of fluid that surrounds the heart. When larger amounts of fluid accumulate (pericardial effusion) or when the pericardium becomes scarred and inelastic, one of three pericardial compressive syndromes may occur:

1.Cardiac tamponade – 
2.Constrictive pericarditis – 
3.Effusive-constrictive pericarditis – 

The Beck triad of acute cardiac tamponade includes jugular venous distention (JVD) from an elevated central venous pressure(CVP), hypotension, and muffled heart sounds. In trauma,only one-third of patients with cardiac tamponade demonstrate this classic triad, although 90% have at least one of the signs.
The simultaneous appearance of all three physical signs is a late manifestation of tamponade and usually seen just prior to cardiac arrest. Other symptoms include shortness of breath, orthopnea, dyspnea on exertion, syncope, and symptoms of inadequate perfusion.

The clinical diagnosis of tamponade requires suspicion and a careful evaluation of the signs and, when available, imaging techniques. Bedside ultrasonography provides rapid diagnosis and facilitates pericardiocentesis. Emergency department pericardiocentesis is a diagnostic and resuscitative procedure in
patients with suspected cardiac tamponade. 
Goals of emergency department pericardiocentesis include identification of pericardial effusion and removal of blood from the pericardial space to relieve the tamponade.

Pearls
1. Electrical alternans seen on a 12-lead ECG suggests pericardial effusion.
2. The Beck triad for acute cardiac tamponade is a late manifestation and is seen in only 30% of trauma patients.
3. Ultrasonographic identification of pericardial fluid in patients with penetration chest trauma may lead to life saving pericardiocentesis.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Everything You Should Know About Acute Flaccid Paralysis

Acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) is a severe medical condition characterized by rapid onset of muscle weakness or paralysis and mainly affects children. The group of symptoms and signs, not a single disease, often affects muscles involved in breathing or swallowing. The condition, which often affects one leg or arm and is not typically linked to injury, primarily affects children under 15. AFP is associated with a variety of causes, including viral infections such as poliovirus, enterovirus and adenovirus, Campylobacter infections, as well as autoimmune diseases such as Guillain-BarrĂ© syndrome (a disorder where the immune system attacks the nerves) and transverse myelitis (inflammation of the spinal cord). AFP case definition any patient who under 15 years of age with acute flaccid  paralysis, or  A patient of any age in whom a clinician suspect polio   Classic example of syndromic surveillance      Several other conditions may look like clinical polio (E...

AWARENESS: PREVENTION AND MANAGEMENT OF DIPHTHERIA

AWARENESS: PREVENTION AND MANAGEMENT OF DIPHTHERIA The Ministry of Health and Human Services of the Federal Government of Somalia has officially announced an increase in reported cases of Diphtheria, a serious and contagious illness, currently affecting multiple districts in Mogadishu and surrounding areas. Diphtheria is a potentially life-threatening bacterial infection that primarily affects children but can also infect adults. It is caused by the bacterium Corynebacterium diphtheriae. CLINICAL SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF DIPHTHERIA: 1. Mild fever with a gradual onset 2. Severe sore throat, especially during swallowing 3. Throat pain, hoarseness, and persistent coughing 4. Swelling of the neck (cervical lymphadenopathy) – particularly in children 5. Presence of grayish or whitish pseudomembrane covering the throat or pharynx – which may lead to breathing difficulty 6. Fatigue, nausea, and shortness of breath 7. In severe cases, the infection can involve the heart (myocarditis) and nervous ...

Mpox A Public Health Emergency

  A major turning point has been reached in the fight against the resurgent viral disease Mpox with the announcement by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) of Mpox as a worldwide public health emergency. The declaration highlights the urgent need for coordinated global action, especially in areas like Africa where access to life-saving treatments like vaccines remains limited and the health infrastructure is frequently strained.    Mpox: An Emerging Worldwide Threat Long endemic in some regions of Central and West Africa, mpox was formerly known as monkeypox. But subsequent outbreaks in non-endemic areas have sparked concerns, prompting the designation of a worldwide public health emergency. Fever, rash, and enlarged lymph nodes are the disease's hallmarks. It can cause serious consequences and even death, especially in susceptible groups such as young children, pregnant mothers, and people...

Health Benefits Of Nitric Oxide Containing Food

  Explore The Powerful Health Benefits Of Nitric Oxide Containing Food If you're looking to boost your overall health and vitality, it's worth exploring the incredible benefits of consuming foods that are rich in nitric oxide. Nitric oxide is a natural molecule that our bodies produce to help with various functions, including blood flow, cardiovascular health, athletic performance, and brain function. Incorporating nitric oxide-rich foods into your diet can be an effective way to enhance these areas of your health. Before we delve into the health benefits of nitric oxide-containing foods, let's first understand what nitric oxide is and how it works in our bodies. Nitric oxide is a gas that's produced by the lining of blood vessels, and it helps to relax and widen those vessels, improving blood flow and oxygen delivery throughout the body. It also plays a role in various other functions, including immune system regulation, neurotransmitter release, and muscle growth and ...

"Hypothyroidism: Understanding the Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options"

  What is the thyroid gland? The thyroid gland is located in the throat, on both sides of the upper part of the trachea,  What is hypothyroidism? The operation of the thyroid gland means that the level of hormone secretion decreases, if the body does not produce enough hormones, the person feels or shows several symptoms that are characteristic of this disease. Thyroid disease is common in middle-aged women, it is very common in our Somali women, but unfortunately doctors do not recognize it quickly, as the symptoms can resemble other diseases such as rheumatism, heart disease, cholesterol disease, brucellosis, calcium deficiency and the disease known as "Fibromyalgia", so if you see the symptoms of this disease, the doctor should examine you for all these diseases to make sure which one you claim. In this thyroid disease it is necessary for the body to get the missing hormone. What are the symptoms of thyroid dysfunction? The first symptoms to notice are: 1- Laziness and fat...