Etymed
cardiac tamponade
Definition
Compression of the heart caused by fluid accumulation in the pericardial sac, leading to impaired cardiac function
Clinical context
A 22-year-old trauma patient presents with hypotension, muffled heart sounds, and jugular venous distension after a stab wound to the chest. Echocardiography reveals fluid around the heart. The patient requires immediate pericardiocentesis to relieve the compressive forces. This condition typically presents with Beck's triad: hypotension, raised central venous pressure, and muffled heart sounds.
Mnemonic
TAMPOON - Tension, Acute, Massive, Pericardial, Obstruction, Overload, Obstruction, Nodules