2. INTRODUCTION
Cardiac tamponade is a medical or traumatic emergency
that happens when enough fluid accumulates in the
pericardial sac compressing the heart and leading to a
decrease in cardiac output and shock.
3. DEFINITION
Cardiac tamponade is pressure on the heart that occurs
when blood or fluid builds up in the space between the heart
muscle and the outer covering sac of the heart.
4.
5. CAUSES
• Heart attack (acute MI)
• Heart surgery
• Pericarditis caused by bacterial or viral infections
• Wounds
• Heart tumors
6. • Kidney failure
• Leukemia
• Placement of central lines
• Radiation therapy to the chest
• Recent invasive heart procedures
• Systemic lupus erythematosus
• Dermatomyositis
• Heart failure
8. SYMPTOMS
• Anxiety, restlessness
• Sharp chest pain that is felt in the neck, shoulder, back, or abdomen
• Chest pain that gets worse with deep breathing or coughing
• Problems breathing
• Discomfort, sometimes relieved by sitting upright or leaning forward
• Fainting, lightheadedness
• Pale, gray, or blue skin
• Rapid breathing
• Swelling of the legs or abdomen
9. DIAGNOSIS/TEST
• Echocardiogram: Doctors commonly carry out an
echocardiogram, or echo, if they suspect cardiac tamponade.
This scan provides a detailed image of the heart, which may
help the doctor detect fluid in the pericardial sac or a
collapsed ventricle.
• Chest X-ray: An X-ray of the chest shows whether the heart is
abnormally large or an unusual shape due to fluid buildup.
10. • EKG: This test allows the doctor to examine the electrical
activity of the heart.
• CT scan: A CT scan of the chest can confirm the presence
of extra fluid in the pericardium.
• CBC with ESR
• RFT and LFT
• HIV Screening
• Pericardial Fluid Study
11. TREATMENT
Cardiac tamponade is a medical emergency that requires
hospitalization. The treatment of cardiac tamponade has two
purposes. It should relieve pressure on your heart and then
treat the underlying condition.
12. • Pericardiocentesis: This procedure involves the removal
of fluid from the pericardium using a needle.
• Pericardiectomy: A surgeon will remove part of the
pericardium to relieve pressure on the heart.
• Thoracotomy: This surgical procedure allows the draining
of blood or blood clots from around the heart.
13. NURSING MANAGEMENT
• Provide oxygen
• Bed rest with legs elevated
• Give medications as ordered
• ECG monitoring
• Ensure Chest x-ray and echo are done
14. PREVENTION
• It is not possible to prevent all cases of cardiac tamponade.
However, people can reduce their risk by:
• minimizing their exposure to bacterial or viral infections
• receiving treatment for medical conditions, such as lupus
and hypothyroidism
• eating a well-balanced diet and exercising regularly to
protect heart health
• attending regular medical checkups
• avoiding smoking
