- Pericardial tamponade causes haemodynamic compromise with symptoms like acute dyspnea, tachycardia, and low or undetectable blood pressure. - Key physical exam findings include elevated jugular venous pressure, muffled heart sounds, and pulsus paradoxus (an abnormally large fall in systolic blood pressure during inspiration). - Diagnosis is supported by echocardiography showing a large pericardial collection and swings in ventricular filling during respiration. Treatment involves pericardiocentesis or creation of a pericardial window by surgery to drain fluid from the pericardial sac.