On this week’s episode, MS4 Lavinia Turian discusses cardiac tamponade, including signs/symptoms, physiology, and treatment. Although this is a clinical diagnosis, ultrasound can be used to assist in the diagnosis. There are five findings to look for on ultrasound that are all discussed on this episode.

Supplemental Images:

References

1. Spodick DH. Acute cardiac tamponade. N Engl J Med. 2003;349(7):684-690.

2. Alerhand S, Carter JM. What echocardiographic findings suggest a pericardial effusion is causing tamponade? Am J Emerg Med. 2019;37(2):321-326.

3. Guntheroth WG. Sensitivity and specificity of echocardiographic evidence of tamponade: implications for ventricular interdependence and pulsus paradoxus. Pediatr Cardiol. 2007;28(5):358-362.

4. Singh S, Wann LS, Schuchard GH, et al. Right ventricular and right atrial collapse in patients with cardiac tamponade–a combined echocardiographic and hemodynamic study. Circulation. 1984;70(6):966-971.