Cardiac tamponade

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Cardiac tamponade

Heart, front view

Pericardium

Tamponade; Pericardial tamponade

Cardiac tamponade is an emergency condition that requires hospitalization. Treatment is aimed at saving the patient's life, improving heart function, relieving symptoms, and treating the tamponade. This is usually accomplished with pericardiocentesis (a procedure to drain the fluid around the heart) or by cutting and removing part of the pericardium (pericardial window).

Fluids are the initial treatment to maintain normal blood pressure until pericardiocentesis can be performed. Medications that increase blood pressure may also help sustain the patient's life until the fluid is drained.

The patient may be given oxygen, this reduces the workload on the heart by decreasing tissue demands for blood flow.

The cause of the tamponade must be identified and treated. Treatment of the cause may include medications, such as antibiotics, and surgical repair of injury.

Cutting or removing part of the pericardium (surgical pericardiectomy, also known as pericardial window) may be required for most tamponade patients.

Tamponade is life-threatening if untreated. The outcome is often good if the condition is treated promptly, but tamponade may recur.

• Heart failure
• Pulmonary edema

Go to the emergency room or call the local emergency number (such as 911) if symptoms develop. Cardiac tamponade is an emergency condition requiring immediate attention!

Review Date: 07/14/2006
Reviewed By: J.A. Lee, M.D., Division of Surgery, UCSF, San Francisco, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.