Cardiac Tamponade

Cardiac Tamponade

Cardiac Tamponade (pronounced: kahr-dee-ak tam-pon-ayd) is a serious medical condition in which blood or fluids fill the space between the sac that encases the heart and the heart muscle. This places extreme pressure on your heart. The pressure prevents the heart's ventricles from expanding fully and keeps your heart from functioning properly. Your heart may also be unable to pump enough blood to your body, which can lead to organ failure, shock, and death.

Etymology

The term "Cardiac Tamponade" is derived from the French word "tamponner" which means to plug or to stop up. In medical terms, it refers to the compression of the heart due to the accumulation of fluid or blood in the pericardium (the sac surrounding the heart).

Symptoms

Symptoms of Cardiac Tamponade may include anxiety, fatigue, chest pain, shortness of breath, and rapid heart rate. In severe cases, it can lead to loss of consciousness or cardiac arrest.

Causes

Cardiac Tamponade can be caused by a variety of factors including heart surgery, chest injury, pericarditis, and cancer.

Treatment

Treatment for Cardiac Tamponade usually involves a procedure to drain the excess fluid from the heart. This can be done through a procedure called pericardiocentesis or through surgery.

Related Terms

• Pericardium
• Pericardiocentesis
• Cardiac Arrest
• Shock

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Cardiac Tamponade
• Wikipedia's article - Cardiac Tamponade

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