This document discusses cardiac tamponade, which occurs when fluid rapidly accumulates in the pericardial sac, putting pressure on the heart and reducing cardiac function. Key points include:
- Pericardial effusion puts pressure on the heart, causing symptoms like chest pain and shortness of breath.
- Cardiac tamponade occurs when a rapid accumulation of fluid in the pericardial sac severely compresses the heart.
- Echocardiography is useful for diagnosing tamponade by showing findings like pericardial effusion, right ventricular collapse, and reduced respiratory variation in blood flow velocities.
- Tamponade is a medical emergency treated initially with medications and peric