Cardiac tamponade resident survival guide: Difference between revisions
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* The drainage of pericardial effusion should be gradual and slow to avoid the precipitation of [[pulmonary edema]]. | * The drainage of pericardial effusion should be gradual and slow to avoid the precipitation of [[pulmonary edema]]. | ||
* [[Echocardiography]] is the primary modality of choice, considering its high specificity and sensitivity, low cost and lack of radiation. [[CT]] and cardiac [[MRI]] are indicated when echocardiography is inconclusive. | * [[Echocardiography]] is the primary modality of choice, considering its high specificity and sensitivity, low cost and lack of radiation. [[CT]] and cardiac [[MRI]] are indicated when echocardiography is inconclusive. | ||
* | * Consider 2D and doppler echocardiography prior to discharge to confirm total removal or detect reaccumulation of pericardial fluid. | ||
==Don'ts== | ==Don'ts== | ||
Revision as of 21:45, 26 January 2014
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Karol Gema Hernandez, M.D. [2] Ayokunle Olubaniyi, M.B,B.S [3]
Definition
Causes
Life Threatening Causes
Life-threatening causes include conditions which may result in death or permanent disability within 24 hours if left untreated.
Common Causes
Management
Dos
- Always suspect cardiac tamponade in any patient presenting with hypotension, tachycardia and distended neck veins (or elevated jugular venous pressure).
- Always measure pulsus paradoxus whenever you suspect cardiac tamponade.
- Consider the intrapericardial pressure more than the volume of the pericardial fluid in the management of cardiac tamponade.
- The drainage of pericardial effusion should be gradual and slow to avoid the precipitation of pulmonary edema.
- Echocardiography is the primary modality of choice, considering its high specificity and sensitivity, low cost and lack of radiation. CT and cardiac MRI are indicated when echocardiography is inconclusive.
- Consider 2D and doppler echocardiography prior to discharge to confirm total removal or detect reaccumulation of pericardial fluid.