Cardiac tamponade

A
• B
• C
• D
• E
• F
• G
• H
• I
• J
• K
• L
• M
• N
• O
• P
• Q
• R
• S
• T
• U
• V
• W
• X
• Y
• Z

Cardiac tamponade

Heart, front view

Pericardium

Tamponade; Pericardial tamponade

• Anxiety, restlessness
• Chest pain
  • Radiating to the neck, shoulder, back, or abdomen
  • Sharp, stabbing
  • Worsened by deep breathing or coughing
• Difficulty breathing
• Discomfort, sometimes relieved by sitting upright or leaning forward
• Fainting, light-headedness
• Pale, gray, or blue skin
• Palpitations
• Rapid breathing
• Swelling of the abdomen or other areas

Other symptoms that may occur with this disorder:

• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Low blood pressure
• Weak or absent pulse

There are no specific laboratory tests that diagnose tamponade. Echocardiogram is typically used to help establish the diagnosis.

---

---

Signs:

• Blood pressure may fall (pulsus paradoxical) when the person inhales deeply
• Breathing may be rapid
• Heart rate may be over 100 (normal is 60 to 100 beats per minute)
• Heart sounds are faint during examination with a stethoscope
• Neck veins may be abnormally extended (distended) but the blood pressure may be low
• Peripheral pulses may be weak or absent

Other tests may include:

• Chest CT or MRI of chest
• Chest x-ray
• Coronary angiography
• ECG

Review Date: 05/17/2010
Reviewed By: A.D.A.M. Editorial Team: David Zieve, MD, MHA, and David R. Eltz. Previously reviewed by Shabir Bhimji, MD, PhD, Specializing in Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Midland, TX. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network (5/17/2010).

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).