Cardiac tamponade resident survival guide

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Ayokunle Olubaniyi, M.B,B.S [2]

Definitions

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

Shown below is an algorithm showing acute pericarditis management.^[1]

Characterize the symptoms:

❑ Prodrome:
-Fever
-Malaise
-Myalgia
❑ Retrosternal or left precordial chest pain
- Radiates to trapezius ridge
-Can be pleuritic
-Can simulate isquemia
-Varies with posture

Auscultation:

❑ Pericardial rub
-Monophasic
-Biphasic
-Triphasic

Perform ECG:

❑ Convexly elevated J-ST segment
❑ Determine stage

Echocardiography

Evidence of pericardial effusion

Order lab tests:
❑ Inflammation markers
❑ Markers of myocardial lesion

Dos

Don'ts

References

↑ Maisch B, Seferović PM, Ristić AD, Erbel R, Rienmüller R, Adler Y; et al. (2004). "Guidelines on the diagnosis and management of pericardial diseases executive summary; The Task force on the diagnosis and management of pericardial diseases of the European society of cardiology". Eur Heart J. 25 (7): 587–610. doi:10.1016/j.ehj.2004.02.002. PMID 15120056.

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[pmid15120056-1] Maisch B, Seferović PM, Ristić AD, Erbel R, Rienmüller R, Adler Y; et al. (2004). "Guidelines on the diagnosis and management of pericardial diseases executive summary; The Task force on the diagnosis and management of pericardial diseases of the European society of cardiology". Eur Heart J. 25 (7): 587–610. doi:10.1016/j.ehj.2004.02.002. PMID 15120056.

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