This document discusses cardiac tamponade, which occurs when fluid builds up in the pericardial sac surrounding the heart, putting pressure on the heart and impairing its function. It describes the normal functions of the pericardium, causes of tamponade including infection, heart failure and cancer. Symptoms include Beck's triad of decreased heart sounds, blood pressure and distended neck veins. Diagnosis involves physical exam, ECG, echocardiogram and sometimes CT scan or MRI. Treatment is drainage of excess fluid via pericardiocentesis or surgery. Nursing care focuses on breathing issues, low cardiac output, rest and educating the patient.

2. PRESENTED BY :- RAMANPREET KAUR
POST BASIC BSC 1ST YEAR
ROLL NO.-23
CARDIAC TAMPONADE

3. CARDIAC TAMPONADE
“Cardiac Tamponade is compression of the
heart resulting from fluid or blood within the
pericardial sac.”
(Brunner)
Cardiac tamponade is pressure on the heart
that occurs when blood or fluid builds up in
the space between the heart
muscle(myocardium) and the outer covering
sac of the heart(pericardium).

5. NORMAL FUNCTIONS OF
PERICARDIUM
 An optimal Cardiac Shape
 Reducing the friction between beating
heart and adjacent structure.
 Protecting the heart from other disease
which are caused by other organs. E.g
T.B , cancer etc.
 Preventing the overfilling of the heart

6. ETIOLOGY
 Exact Etiology is idiopathic.
 Viral Pericarditis
 Heart Failure
 Acute MI
 Chest trauma
 Cancer
 Kidney Failure
 Tuberculosis
 Hypothyroidism

7. PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
Due to etiological factors
Accumulation of Fluid within Pericardium
pressure within the heart increases
Impairment in contraction and relaxation

8. Decrease in Systemic Circulation
Decrease oxygen supply towards body
tissues.
Increase in pulse, Decrease BP , distended
jugular vein.
Loss of consciousness and sudden Death

9. CLINICAL FEATURES
BECK’S TRIAD
.
• Decreased heart sound
.
• Decreased Arterial pressure
.
• Distended Jugular Veins

10. TO BE CONTINUED.....
 Tachypnea
 Dyspnoea
 Cough
 Dysphagia
 Oliguria
 Syncope
 Convulsion
 Restlessness
 Drowsiness
 Chest discomfort
 Weakness
 Loss of appetite

11. DIAGNOSTIC EVALUATION
 HISTORY COLLECTION
-Cardiovascular diseases eg CAD, MI,
Cardiomyopathy
-Medication History
 GENERAL PHYSICAL EXAMINATION
 BLOOD EXAMINATION
 ECG
 CHEST X-RAY
 ECHOCARDIOGRAM

12. TO BE CONTINUED......
 CT- Scan
 MRI
 Coronary angiography.

13. MEDICAL MANAGEMENT
 Supplemental oxygen to reduce
work load on the heart.
 IV fluids to maintain normal BP
 Antibiotics
 Inotropic drugs if patient is severely
hypotensive drugs eg Dopamine,
Dorbutamine.
 Avoid diuretics or vasodilator.

14. TO BE CONTINUED........
 Bed rest with leg elevation : helps
to return venous return
 Positive pressure ventilation should
avoided. ( It may decrease venous
return and aggravate the symptoms
of tamponade

15. SURGICAL MANAGEMENT
PERICARDIOCENTESIS
Pericardiocentesis, also called a
pericardial tap, is a surgical invasive
procedure ( use both diagnostic and
therapeutic purpose) in which abnormal
or excessive fluid is removed from the
pericardium sac ,the sac around your
heart.

17. TO BE CONTINUED......
 The treatment of cardiac
tamponade is drainage of the
pericardial contents, preferably by
needle paracentesis, with the use of
echocardiography or another type
of imaging, such as fluoroscopy or
CT.

18. NURSING MANAGEMENT
 Ineffective Breathing Pattern related to:
hyperventilation .
 Decreased cardiac output related to
reduced ventricular filling secondary to
increased intrapericardial pressure.
 Activity intolerance related to
restlessness, fatigue .
 Knowledge deficiet related to disease
condition.