Cardiac Tamponade

Author(s):  
Todd Novak ◽  
Silas Hoxie

Cardiac tamponade is a life-threatening condition that occurs when accumulating pericardial fluid results in impaired cardiac filling and hemodynamic instability. Most of the clinical features of tamponade are subtle and nonspecific and may not be appreciated until cardiovascular collapse is imminent. Understanding the physiological changes that occur during tamponade are essential for early recognition and intervention. While cardiac tamponade is a clinical diagnosis, echocardiography is the modality of choice in facilitating the prompt identification of extraneous pericardial contents and the determination of the hemodynamic significance. This chapter discusses the presentation, pathophysiology, and echocardiographic signs of tamponade, as well the differential diagnosis and confounding conditions most pertinent to the anesthesiologist. Both medical and surgical management are also addressed, including a review of perioperative and anesthetic techniques.

Author(s):  
Kevin Barrett

There has been considerable recent focus on sepsis in both the clinical arena and within the general public to raise awareness of the importance of early recognition of this potentially life-threatening condition. The early recognition of sepsis by ward nurses can both reduce progression of this lethal disease and improve survival for patients in hospital. This chapter focuses on definitions of sepsis and septic shock, physiological changes associated with inflammatory and cardiovascular responses to sepsis, and a clinical assessment framework to guide practice. There is also a discussion of the use of scoring systems and how to escalate support mechanisms for patients with sepsis and septic shock.


Author(s):  
Gerard Martí Aguasca ◽  
Bruno Garcia del Blanco ◽  
Jaume Sagristà Sauleda

Cardiac tamponade is a life-threatening condition that may require the urgent removal of pericardial fluid. Therefore, the pericardiocentesis procedure should be part of the skills of physicians treating critically ill patients. The pericardiocentesis technique has evolved from a blind and unguided procedure, prone to complications, to a safer and more effective guided technique by using echocardiography or fluoroscopy. However, as in any invasive procedure, complications still occur. Therefore, indications should be restricted to patients with cardiac tamponade or a high suspicion of specific aetiologies when performed for diagnostic purposes. Accurate indications, optimal imaging assessment, knowledge of materials required, familiarization with different techniques, and rapid recognition of complications are key for a successful procedure.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 104-110
Author(s):  
Saadi JS AlJadir

Pituitary Apoplexy (PA) is an acute critical endocrine condition that is infrequently encountered in daily medical practice. Its life-threatening condition that mandates prompt diagnosis and urgent treatment and may be neurosurgical intervention. Majority of cases are attributed to ischemic infarction or hemorrhage of the pituitary gland usually in the vicinity of pituitary adenoma, and in most cases could be the initial manifestation of these tumors! In reviewing the literatures there is conflicting evidence of which are the predominant, non-functional, or functional adenomas, some reports were showed that prolactin-secreting are at highest risk. There are recognizable risk factors that might precipitate this endocrine emergency like hypertension, medications, major surgery, head injury, radiation, or dynamic testing, but in majority of cases at presentation no identifiable risk factor could be detected. The typical clinical scenario includes persistent worsening headache, vomiting, and altered level of consciousness, visual defect or loss with extreme hormonal derangements which are shown by hemodynamic instability, adrenal crises with variable hormonal deficiencies.


2007 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-34
Author(s):  
JPL Ong ◽  
◽  
LA Thomas ◽  

Rhabdomyolysis is a serious and life-threatening condition in which skeletal muscle is damaged, commonly resulting in acute renal failure. The causes of this clinical entity can be traumatic and non-traumatic. In the latter group, alcohol is the commonest cause. This report describes the case of a 25 year old man who presented with rhabdomyolysis leading to acute renal failure after an alcohol binge. He presented with painful legs and lower extremity compartment syndrome. The patient recovered with surgical fasciotomy and renal support. This case illustrates the importance of early recognition and treatment of alcohol related non-traumatic rhabdomyolysis and compartment syndrome.


2018 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 103-106 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matteo Guarino ◽  
Alessandra Bologna ◽  
Alfredo De Giorgi ◽  
Michele D Spampinato ◽  
Christian Molino ◽  
...  

Haemopericardium with cardiac tamponade following minor blunt trauma is a rare, life-threatening condition. The diagnosis of cardiac tamponade as well as therapeutic management may be delayed, since the link between trauma and illness is often overlooked. We report the case of an old woman who developed a relatively delayed cardiac tamponade due to an otherwise minor blunt chest trauma following syncope.


2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-3
Author(s):  
Alessio Arrivi ◽  
Gaetano Tanzilli ◽  
Paolo Emilio Puddu ◽  
Giovanni Truscelli ◽  
Marcello Dominici ◽  
...  

Coronary malperfusion due to type A aortic dissection is a life-threatening condition where timely recognition and treatment are mandatory. A 77-year-old woman underwent an acute evolving type A aortic dissection mimicking acute myocardial infarction. Two pathophysiologic mechanisms are discussed: either thrombosis migrating from a previously treated giant aneurism of proximal left anterior descending or a local arterial complication due to left main stenting. Recognition of these occurrences in the catheterization laboratory is important to look immediately for surgery.


Author(s):  
Maha Bouziane

Cardiac tamponade results from an accumulation of pericardial fluid under pressure, leading to impaired cardiac filling and haemodynamic compromise. In malignant lymphoma, cardiac and pericardial involvement, even though relatively uncommon, can be one early manifestations of this neoplastic disease. We describe a case of a 21 year old female with no medical history, whose first presentation for mediastinal lymphoma was a mechanical cardiac tamponade.


2021 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 183-186
Author(s):  
Donsub Noh ◽  
Sung Wook Chang ◽  
Dae Sung Ma

Cardiac tamponade is an acute life-threatening condition that predominantly involves the intra-pericardial space; however, an expanding mediastinal hematoma can also sometimes cause cardiac tamponade. Here we describe the case of a 45-year-old male driver in whom a traffic accident resulted in rupture of the left internal thoracic artery (ITA), extra-pericardial hematoma, and sternal fracture. After resuscitation, he was scheduled to undergo angio-embolization to repair the ruptured left ITA, but he suddenly developed cardiac tamponade that required a decompressive sternotomy. Nevertheless, the patient had an uncomplicated recovery, and this case suggests that extra-pericardial cardiac tamponade should be considered as a possible consequence of retro-sternal hematoma due to traumatic ITA rupture.


Author(s):  
Mousumi Das Ghosh ◽  
Vinita Singh ◽  
Alokananda Ray

Background: Eclampsia is a life-threatening condition, common in developing countries with high fatality rate. It is a cause of maternal and foetal mortality and morbidity. The aim of the study is to determine the maternal and foetal outcome in Tata Main Hospital, Jamshedpur, Jharkhand, India.Methods: All cases of eclampsia were analysed from January 2012 to December 2014 from admission to discharge or death of the patient.  Age, parity, antenatal care, interval between attack and admission, blood pressure on admission, gestational age and mode of delivery were  taken into account. There were 135 cases of eclampsia out of 14572 deliveries. Only singleton pregnancies were analysed.Results: The incidence of antepartum eclampsia was 84.4%, intrapartum 3% and postpartum 12.5 %. 83% patients were primigravida, 33% less than 20 yrs,42% had no antenatal checkup and 45% had < 4 visits. Only 15% patients received magnesium sulphate before referral to the hospital. There were four maternal deaths and twenty-one perinatal deaths. Eleven patients needed ventilatory support, four developed pulmonary oedema,  two patients had respiratory depression and three patients had renal failure.Conclusions: Hypertensive disease in pregnancy requires proper antenatal care, early recognition and referral, adequate treatment and timely delivery.


CJEM ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 7 (03) ◽  
pp. 168-170
Author(s):  
Peter G. Katis

ABSTRACT Acute pericardial tamponade is a potentially life-threatening condition that requires immediate treatment. This report describes a patient who presented to the emergency department with an acute hemopericardium and echocardiographic evidence of cardiac tamponade following the initiation of warfarin therapy for a recently diagnosed pulmonary embolism. The association between cardiac tamponade, oral anticoagulation and pulmonary thromboembolic disease is briefly discussed.


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