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==Pathophysiology==
==Background==
#see pericarditis
[[File:Pericardial anatomy diagram.png|thumb|(d) Pericardial cavity, part of the inferior mediastinum, in relation to (a) superior mediastinum; (c) pleural cavities; and (e) diaphragm.]]
#hemodynamic compromise from inc pericardial fluid
[[File:Pericardium anatomy.png|thumb|Anatomy of the pericardium.]]
##incr pericardial pressures
[[File:Pericardial pressure volume curve.png|thumb|Pericardial pressure-volume relationships. Rapid accumulation (left curve) causes tamponade with small volumes; slow accumulation (right curve) allows pericardial stretching.]]
##decr diastolic filling, venous return, collapse of RA
*Pericardial effusion: abnormal accumulation of fluid in the pericardial space
##inhalation sequesters fluid in pulm vasc, not LV
*Cardiac tamponade: hemodynamic compromise from pericardial fluid compressing the heart
**Rate of accumulation matters more than volume
**Acute: as little as 100-150 mL can cause tamponade (e.g., trauma)
**Chronic: up to 1-2 L may accumulate before tamponade (e.g., malignancy, uremia)
*Pathophysiology: increased pericardial pressure → decreased RV filling → decreased cardiac output
*Always consider in [[PEA]]
*Always consider in penetrating thoracic trauma within the cardiac box (80% result in tamponade)
**Gunshot wounds less likely to cause tamponade (larger pericardial defect allows decompression)
**RV is most commonly injured chamber due to anterior position


==Signs & Symptoms==
===Etiology===
#Rapidity of fluid accumulation determines clinical effects
*Hemopericardium:
#Rapid accumulation: as little as 150cc may decr cardiac output
**[[Trauma]] (penetrating or blunt), iatrogenic (central line, pacemaker, post-cardiac surgery)
#Slow accumulation: as much as 2L may have little effect
**Ventricular free wall rupture (post-[[MI]], typically day 3-5)
#Pts may c/o CP, dyspnea, fatigue, anorexia, wt loss, MS changes, shock
**[[Aortic dissection]] (type A with rupture into pericardium)
#Overall: looks a lot like CHF with JVD, SOB, hepatomegaly, etc...
**Bleeding diathesis / anticoagulation
#Narrow pulse pressure
*Non-hemorrhagic:
#Friction rub
**Malignancy (most common cause of large effusions): lung, breast, lymphoma, melanoma
#Beck's Triad
***Melanoma has particular predilection for cardiac metastasis
##hypotension, muffled heart sounds, JVD
**[[Pericarditis]] (viral, bacterial, tuberculous)
##present in only 30% of pts
**Uremia ([[renal failure]])
##90% will have at least one of the three findings
**[[HIV]] (infection, Kaposi sarcoma, lymphoma)
#Pulsus paradoxus
**Autoimmune ([[SLE]], [[rheumatoid arthritis]], scleroderma)
##>10mmHg change in sys BP on inspiration
**Post-radiation, [[hypothyroidism]]/myxedema
##decreased intrathoracic P on inspiration causes increased return to R heart --> R septum bows into L given constriction by surrounding pericardial effusion --> decreased LVEDV and concomitant decreased CO
**Idiopathic (up to 50% of large effusions)
##can see in many right heart dz states as well
##may NOT see in acute trauma
#Ewart's sign (compressive atelectasis causes pulmonary auscultatory changes)


==Work-Up==
==Clinical Features==
#Pulsus paradoxus (old school)
*Chest pain, [[dyspnea]], cough, fatigue
#EKG
*Tachycardia (most reliable sign; bradycardia is ominous/preterminal)
##nl or diffuse low QRS
*Narrow pulse pressure
##electrical alternans (beat to beat QRS amp vary)
*Friction rub (may be absent with large effusion)
#CXR: CM, obliteration of costophrenic angles
*Pulsus paradoxus: >10 mmHg drop in systolic BP during inspiration
#TTE -modality of choice: effusion, diffuse hypokinesis, RA and RV collapse
*Beck's triad (present in only ~33% of cases):
#labs: CBC, chem 10, coags, enzymes
**[[Hypotension]]
#consider: HIV, ANA, ESR, RF, PPD
**Muffled heart sounds
#pericardial fluid for viral/bact Cx, cell count, cytology
**JVD (elevated CVP)
*Kussmaul sign: paradoxical rise in JVP with inspiration
*[[Hepatomegaly]], peripheral edema (if chronic)
*May present as [[PEA arrest]] or [[cardiogenic shock]]


==Causes==
==Differential Diagnosis==
As in pericarditis
*[[Tension pneumothorax]] (absent breath sounds, tracheal deviation)
#idiopathic
*Massive [[pulmonary embolism]]
#infectious, including AIDS related, TB
*Acute [[MI]] / [[cardiogenic shock]]
#malignancy: heme, lung, breast
*[[Constrictive pericarditis]]
#uremia
*Acute [[heart failure]]
#post radiation
*[[Aortic dissection]]
#connective tissue dz
#drugs: procainamide, hydralaine, methyldopa, anticoagulants
#cardiac injury (can see up to weeks later): post MI, trauma, aortic  dissection


==DDx==
{{Chest pain DDX}}
#Tension PTX
#PE
#SVC syndrome
#large pleural effusion
#Tension pneumocardium
#Constrictive pericarditis
#Cardiogenic shock


==Treatment==
==Evaluation==
EMERGENCY
===ECG===
#ABCs, IV, O2, monitor
*Sinus tachycardia (most common finding)
#IV fluids to incr RV vol
*Electrical alternans (pathognomonic but insensitive — alternating QRS amplitude)
#Pressors (temporizing)
*Low voltage:
#AVOID preload reducing meds eg Nitrates, diuretics
**Limb leads: all QRS <5 mm or I+II+III <15 mm<ref>Mattu A, Brady W. ''ECGs for the Emergency Physician 2''. BMJ Books. 2008.</ref>
#Procedures: see Pericardiocentesis
**Precordial leads: all QRS <10 mm or V1+V2+V3 <30 mm
#Pericardial window (OR)
*PR depression (if associated pericarditis)
 
===CXR===
[[File:Massive pericardial effusion CXR.jpg|thumb|Massive pericardial effusion on chest x-ray]]
*Enlarged cardiac silhouette (water bottle sign)
*May be normal with small or acute effusions
*Not sensitive for early detection
 
===Pulsus Paradoxus===
*>10 mmHg decrease in systolic BP during inspiration
*Measure with manual sphygmomanometer (inflate above systolic, slowly deflate noting first Korotkoff sounds in expiration vs inspiration)
*False negatives: [[aortic regurgitation]], [[ASD]], severe [[hypotension]], positive-pressure ventilation
 
===Bedside Ultrasound (Test of Choice in ED)===
[[File:Pericardial effusion echo.jpg|thumb|Transthoracic echo of pericardial effusion showing "swinging heart"]]
[[File:Pericardial effusion US.jpg|thumb|Pericardial effusion on ultrasound]]
*POCUS is the fastest and most reliable bedside diagnostic tool
*Key views: subxiphoid (most sensitive), parasternal long axis (PLAX), apical 4-chamber
*Distinguish from [[pleural effusion]] on PLAX: pericardial effusion tracks anterior to descending aorta; pleural effusion tracks posterior<ref>Randazzo MR et al. ''Acad Emerg Med''. 2003. PMID 12957982</ref>
 
====Classic Findings of Tamponade====
*Diastolic collapse of RA (earliest sign; >1/3 of cardiac cycle = significant)
*Diastolic collapse of RV (more specific)
*Plethoric (non-collapsing) IVC (>2 cm, <50% collapse — sensitive but nonspecific)
*Swinging heart within large effusion
 
====Advanced Echo Assessment====
*M-mode: position through RV free wall on PLAX to identify diastolic collapse timing
*Doppler — valvular pulsus paradoxus<ref>Spodick DH. Acute cardiac tamponade. N Engl J Med. 2003;349(7):684-690. PMID 12917306</ref><ref>Rajagopalan N, et al. Comparison of new Doppler echocardiographic methods. ''Am J Cardiol''. 2001;87(1):86-94. PMID 11137840</ref>:
**Mitral inflow variation >25% → likely tamponade
**Tricuspid inflow variation >40% → likely tamponade
**Helpful when RV is thickened (chronic pulmonary hypertension)
 
==Management==
===Immediate Stabilization===
*IV fluid bolus 500-1000 mL NS (patient is preload-dependent)
*Avoid preload-reducing medications: nitroglycerin, diuretics, morphine
*Avoid positive-pressure ventilation if possible (reduces preload further)
*Vasopressors as temporizing bridge (norepinephrine preferred)
*Position patient upright or leaning forward if tolerated
 
===Pericardiocentesis (Definitive for Non-hemorrhagic Tamponade)===
*Indications: hemodynamic compromise, suspected purulent pericarditis
*Ultrasound-guided approach preferred (reduces complications)
*Subxiphoid approach:
**Insert needle 1-2 cm inferior to left xiphosternal junction, aimed toward left shoulder
**Advance at 30-45° angle under US guidance
**As little as 30-50 mL removal can dramatically improve hemodynamics
*Send fluid for: cell count, protein, LDH, glucose, cytology, gram stain/culture, AFB
*Complication rate <2% with US guidance (vs ~20% blind)
 
===Traumatic Tamponade===
*Pericardiocentesis is a temporizing measure only — definitive treatment is thoracotomy
*Hemorrhagic tamponade will reaccumulate
*IV fluid resuscitation and emergent surgical consultation
*Can occur if ECG read as STEMI and heparin started inadvertently
 
===Specific Etiologies===
*Uremic tamponade: emergent [[dialysis]]
*Malignant effusion: pericardiocentesis + consider pericardial window for recurrent effusions<ref>Adler Y, et al. 2015 ESC Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of pericardial diseases. Eur Heart J. 2015;36(42):2921-2964. PMID 26320112</ref>
*Post-MI free wall rupture: emergent cardiac surgery


==Disposition==
==Disposition==
#likely ICU
*Unstable traumatic tamponade: emergent OR for thoracotomy
#Cards, CT surg consults
*All patients with tamponade physiology: ICU admission
*Large effusion without tamponade: admit with cardiology consultation
*Small effusion, stable, known etiology: may be managed as outpatient with close follow-up
*Consult: cardiology and/or CT surgery


==See Also==
==See Also==
Cards: Pericarditis
*[[Pericardiocentesis]]
*[[Thoracic trauma]]
*[[Pericarditis]]
*[[Cardiac ultrasound]]
*[[PEA]]
 
==External Links==
*[https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/152083-overview Medscape - Cardiac Tamponade]


==Source==
==References==
Adapted from Donaldson
<references/>
*Adler Y, et al. 2015 ESC Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of pericardial diseases. ''Eur Heart J''. 2015;36(42):2921-2964. PMID 26320112
*Spodick DH. Acute cardiac tamponade. ''N Engl J Med''. 2003;349(7):684-690. PMID 12917306
*Ristic AD, et al. Triage strategy for urgent management of cardiac tamponade: a position statement of the ESC. ''Eur Heart J''. 2014;35(34):2279-2284. PMID 25002085


[[Category:Cards]]
[[Category:Cardiology]]

Revisión actual - 10:26 22 mar 2026

Background

File:Pericardial anatomy diagram.png
(d) Pericardial cavity, part of the inferior mediastinum, in relation to (a) superior mediastinum; (c) pleural cavities; and (e) diaphragm.
File:Pericardium anatomy.png
Anatomy of the pericardium.
File:Pericardial pressure volume curve.png
Pericardial pressure-volume relationships. Rapid accumulation (left curve) causes tamponade with small volumes; slow accumulation (right curve) allows pericardial stretching.
  • Pericardial effusion: abnormal accumulation of fluid in the pericardial space
  • Cardiac tamponade: hemodynamic compromise from pericardial fluid compressing the heart
    • Rate of accumulation matters more than volume
    • Acute: as little as 100-150 mL can cause tamponade (e.g., trauma)
    • Chronic: up to 1-2 L may accumulate before tamponade (e.g., malignancy, uremia)
  • Pathophysiology: increased pericardial pressure → decreased RV filling → decreased cardiac output
  • Always consider in PEA
  • Always consider in penetrating thoracic trauma within the cardiac box (80% result in tamponade)
    • Gunshot wounds less likely to cause tamponade (larger pericardial defect allows decompression)
    • RV is most commonly injured chamber due to anterior position

Etiology

  • Hemopericardium:
    • Trauma (penetrating or blunt), iatrogenic (central line, pacemaker, post-cardiac surgery)
    • Ventricular free wall rupture (post-MI, typically day 3-5)
    • Aortic dissection (type A with rupture into pericardium)
    • Bleeding diathesis / anticoagulation
  • Non-hemorrhagic:
    • Malignancy (most common cause of large effusions): lung, breast, lymphoma, melanoma
      • Melanoma has particular predilection for cardiac metastasis
    • Pericarditis (viral, bacterial, tuberculous)
    • Uremia (renal failure)
    • HIV (infection, Kaposi sarcoma, lymphoma)
    • Autoimmune (SLE, rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma)
    • Post-radiation, hypothyroidism/myxedema
    • Idiopathic (up to 50% of large effusions)

Clinical Features

  • Chest pain, dyspnea, cough, fatigue
  • Tachycardia (most reliable sign; bradycardia is ominous/preterminal)
  • Narrow pulse pressure
  • Friction rub (may be absent with large effusion)
  • Pulsus paradoxus: >10 mmHg drop in systolic BP during inspiration
  • Beck's triad (present in only ~33% of cases):
  • Kussmaul sign: paradoxical rise in JVP with inspiration
  • Hepatomegaly, peripheral edema (if chronic)
  • May present as PEA arrest or cardiogenic shock

Differential Diagnosis

Template:Chest pain DDX

Evaluation

ECG

  • Sinus tachycardia (most common finding)
  • Electrical alternans (pathognomonic but insensitive — alternating QRS amplitude)
  • Low voltage:
    • Limb leads: all QRS <5 mm or I+II+III <15 mm[1]
    • Precordial leads: all QRS <10 mm or V1+V2+V3 <30 mm
  • PR depression (if associated pericarditis)

CXR

File:Massive pericardial effusion CXR.jpg
Massive pericardial effusion on chest x-ray
  • Enlarged cardiac silhouette (water bottle sign)
  • May be normal with small or acute effusions
  • Not sensitive for early detection

Pulsus Paradoxus

  • >10 mmHg decrease in systolic BP during inspiration
  • Measure with manual sphygmomanometer (inflate above systolic, slowly deflate noting first Korotkoff sounds in expiration vs inspiration)
  • False negatives: aortic regurgitation, ASD, severe hypotension, positive-pressure ventilation

Bedside Ultrasound (Test of Choice in ED)

File:Pericardial effusion echo.jpg
Transthoracic echo of pericardial effusion showing "swinging heart"
File:Pericardial effusion US.jpg
Pericardial effusion on ultrasound
  • POCUS is the fastest and most reliable bedside diagnostic tool
  • Key views: subxiphoid (most sensitive), parasternal long axis (PLAX), apical 4-chamber
  • Distinguish from pleural effusion on PLAX: pericardial effusion tracks anterior to descending aorta; pleural effusion tracks posterior[2]

Classic Findings of Tamponade

  • Diastolic collapse of RA (earliest sign; >1/3 of cardiac cycle = significant)
  • Diastolic collapse of RV (more specific)
  • Plethoric (non-collapsing) IVC (>2 cm, <50% collapse — sensitive but nonspecific)
  • Swinging heart within large effusion

Advanced Echo Assessment

  • M-mode: position through RV free wall on PLAX to identify diastolic collapse timing
  • Doppler — valvular pulsus paradoxus[3][4]:
    • Mitral inflow variation >25% → likely tamponade
    • Tricuspid inflow variation >40% → likely tamponade
    • Helpful when RV is thickened (chronic pulmonary hypertension)

Management

Immediate Stabilization

  • IV fluid bolus 500-1000 mL NS (patient is preload-dependent)
  • Avoid preload-reducing medications: nitroglycerin, diuretics, morphine
  • Avoid positive-pressure ventilation if possible (reduces preload further)
  • Vasopressors as temporizing bridge (norepinephrine preferred)
  • Position patient upright or leaning forward if tolerated

Pericardiocentesis (Definitive for Non-hemorrhagic Tamponade)

  • Indications: hemodynamic compromise, suspected purulent pericarditis
  • Ultrasound-guided approach preferred (reduces complications)
  • Subxiphoid approach:
    • Insert needle 1-2 cm inferior to left xiphosternal junction, aimed toward left shoulder
    • Advance at 30-45° angle under US guidance
    • As little as 30-50 mL removal can dramatically improve hemodynamics
  • Send fluid for: cell count, protein, LDH, glucose, cytology, gram stain/culture, AFB
  • Complication rate <2% with US guidance (vs ~20% blind)

Traumatic Tamponade

  • Pericardiocentesis is a temporizing measure only — definitive treatment is thoracotomy
  • Hemorrhagic tamponade will reaccumulate
  • IV fluid resuscitation and emergent surgical consultation
  • Can occur if ECG read as STEMI and heparin started inadvertently

Specific Etiologies

  • Uremic tamponade: emergent dialysis
  • Malignant effusion: pericardiocentesis + consider pericardial window for recurrent effusions[5]
  • Post-MI free wall rupture: emergent cardiac surgery

Disposition

  • Unstable traumatic tamponade: emergent OR for thoracotomy
  • All patients with tamponade physiology: ICU admission
  • Large effusion without tamponade: admit with cardiology consultation
  • Small effusion, stable, known etiology: may be managed as outpatient with close follow-up
  • Consult: cardiology and/or CT surgery

See Also

External Links

References

  1. Mattu A, Brady W. ECGs for the Emergency Physician 2. BMJ Books. 2008.
  2. Randazzo MR et al. Acad Emerg Med. 2003. PMID 12957982
  3. Spodick DH. Acute cardiac tamponade. N Engl J Med. 2003;349(7):684-690. PMID 12917306
  4. Rajagopalan N, et al. Comparison of new Doppler echocardiographic methods. Am J Cardiol. 2001;87(1):86-94. PMID 11137840
  5. Adler Y, et al. 2015 ESC Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of pericardial diseases. Eur Heart J. 2015;36(42):2921-2964. PMID 26320112
  • Adler Y, et al. 2015 ESC Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of pericardial diseases. Eur Heart J. 2015;36(42):2921-2964. PMID 26320112
  • Spodick DH. Acute cardiac tamponade. N Engl J Med. 2003;349(7):684-690. PMID 12917306
  • Ristic AD, et al. Triage strategy for urgent management of cardiac tamponade: a position statement of the ESC. Eur Heart J. 2014;35(34):2279-2284. PMID 25002085