Cardiac tamponade

Cardiac tamponade is a life-threatening medical emergency caused by the accumulation of fluid, blood, or other material in the pericardial sac, which compresses the heart and impairs its ability to fill and pump blood effectively. This condition arises from various etiologies including trauma, malignancy, infections, heart attack, aortic dissection, or post-procedural complications, leading to reduced cardiac output, shock, and potential cardiac arrest if untreated. It is not a molecule or receptor but a physiological state diagnosed primarily via echocardiogram showing pericardial effusion with right atrial or ventricular collapse, alongside clinical signs like Beck's triad (hypotension, jugular venous distension, muffled heart sounds) and pulsus paradoxus. Treatment involves urgent pericardiocentesis to drain the fluid, supportive measures like fluids and vasopressors, and addressing the underlying cause, with surgical options for recurrent or traumatic cases. "Physical tamponade" appears to be a non-standard or erroneous term, as no reliable sources identify it as a distinct molecular target; all references point to cardiac tamponade as a compressive syndrome rather than a druggable entity. Prompt intervention is critical, with prognosis depending on speed of diagnosis and etiology, such as poorer outcomes in malignancy-associated cases.

Other names

Pericardial tamponadePhysical tamponade (misnomer)