Cardiac Tamponade

Dr. Roger Irvine

Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeon
UWI
 Definitions
Cardiac Tamponade:
A condition characterized by a decrease
in cardiac output due to the
accumulation of fluid (blood, serous
fluid, pus, etc) within the pericardial sac
sufficient to restrict the filling of the
ventricles
Cardiac Tamponade: Causes
Penetrating Injury (icepick, knife, bullet etc.)
Blunt Injury with cardiac contusion
Collagen Vascular Disease (eg. SLE)
Renal or Hepatic Disease
Malignancy (pericardial metastases)
Congestive Cardiac Failure
Infection (eg. Staph., TB, Viral pericarditis)
Post Operative (diagnostic tap, heart surgery)
Cardiac Tamponade
Cardiac Tamponade
Cardiac Tamponade
Cardiac Tamponade: Clinical
Signs
Evidence of penetrating injury
Evidence / history of predisposing
condition
Dyspnoea
Low-blood pressure, SHOCK
Distended neck veins
Quiet heart sounds
Low-voltage electrocardiogram
Distended Neck Veins (CVP↑)
Low-Voltage ECG
Cardiac Tamponade: CXR
Cardiac Tamponade:
Echocardiogram
Cardiac Tamponade: CT Scan
 Treatment
1. Needle Aspiration of Fluid
2. Tube Drainage
3. Open Repair
QUESTIONS?