Cardiac tamponade overview
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Cardiac tamponade Microchapters |
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Cardiac tamponade overview On the Web |
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Cardiac tamponade, also known as pericardial tamponade, is a medical emergency condition in which fluid accumulates in the pericardium (the sac in which theheart is enclosed). The elevated pericardial pressure puts significant pressure on the heart, causing a decrease in diastolic filling of the ventricles, and hence in stroke volume. The end result is ineffective pumping of blood, shock and potentially death.