Cardiac tamponade is a serious medical condition where blood or fluid fills the space between the sac surrounding the heart (pericardium), putting extreme pressure on the heart and preventing it from filling with blood properly. This can lead to organ failure, shock, and even death if not treated. Causes include infectious diseases, malignancies, anticoagulation medications, and connective tissue diseases. Symptoms include chest pain, difficulty breathing, fainting, and pale/gray skin color. Diagnosis involves physical exam, imaging like echocardiograms, and lab tests. Treatment consists of oxygen, fluids, medications, and procedures to drain excess fluid from the pericardial space.

1. RATHEESH R.L

2.  Serious medical condition in which blood or
fluids fill the space between the sac that
encases the heart, placing extreme pressure
on the heart

3.  Infectious diseases
 Malignant conditions
 Anticoagulation
 Pericarditis
 HIV infection
 Post coronary intervention
 Trauma
 Connective tissue diseases
 Iatrogenic

4. etiologic factors
Blood or fluid fills the space between the
pericardium
Place extreme pressure on the heart
Prevents heart ventricles from expanding fully
Heart cannot pump enough blood to the rest of
the body
Organ failure, shock and even death

5.  Anxiety, restlessness
 Chest pain
 Difficulty breathing
 Fainting
 Pale, gray or blue skin
 Palpitations
 Musculoskeletal pain or fever
 Beck triad ( increased JVP, hypotension, and
diminished heart sounds)

6.  History and physical examination
 Chest radiography
 CT scanning
 Echocardiography
 Lab studies
 Electrocardiography
 Pericardial biopsy

7.  Oxygen administration
 Volume expansion with blood, plasma or
isotonic sodium chloride solution
 Bed rest with leg elevation
 Inotrophic drugs
 Pericardiocentesis
 Emergency subxiphoid percutaneous drainage

8.  Assess the early signs and symptoms of cardiac
tamponade
 Assess the general health status of the patient
 Administer oxygen as per order.
 Monitor vital signs frequently
 Check the peripheral pulses
 Observe for edema in the body
 Instruct the patient to keep the lower extrimities
elevated while sleeping

9.  Maintain an intake-output chart
 Observe the signs of peripheral cyanosis
 Assess the heart and lung sounds
 Closely monitor the lab values
 Monitor for chest pain and diaphoresis
 Provide psychological support to the patient
and relatives.

10.  Decreased cardiac output related to external
compression of cardiovascular structures
causing reduced diastolic filling as evidenced
by decreased blood pressure, confusion
 Anxiety related to unfamiliar environment,
invasive procedure as evidenced by
restlessness, increased questioning

11.  Imbalanced nutrition less than body
requirement related to breathlessness as
evidenced by weight loss
 Disturbed sleep pattern related to
shortness of breath as evidenced by
presence of dark circles around the eyes.

12.  Activity intolerance related to decreased
cardiac activity and laboured respirations
as evidenced by difficulty in performing
activities of daily living