BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuCardiac tamponadeTamponade; Pericardial tamponade; Pericarditis - tamponadeCardiac tamponade is pressure on the heart that occurs when blood or fluid builds up in the space between the heart muscle and the outer covering sac (pericardium) of the heart. Causes In this condition, blood or fluid collects in the sac surrounding the heart. This prevents the heart ventricles from expanding fully. The excess pressure from the fluid prevents the heart from working properly. As a result, the body does not get enough blood.Cardiac tamponade can occur due to:Dissecting aortic aneurysm (thoracic) Dissecting aortic aneurysmAortic dissection is a serious condition in which there is a tear in the wall of the major artery carrying blood out of the heart (aorta). As the te...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article End-stage lung cancer Heart attack (acute MI) Acute MIMost heart attacks are caused by a blood clot that blocks one of the coronary arteries. The coronary arteries bring blood and oxygen to the heart. ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Heart surgery Pericarditis caused by bacterial or viral infections PericarditisPericarditis is a condition in which the sac-like covering around the heart (pericardium) becomes inflamed.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Wounds to the heart Other possible causes include:Heart tumors Underactive thyroid gland Underactive thyroid glandHypothyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland does not make enough thyroid hormone. This condition is often called underactive thyroid....ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Kidney failure Kidney failureAcute kidney failure is the rapid (less than 2 days) loss of your kidneys' ability to remove waste and help balance fluids and electrolytes in your b...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Leukemia Placement of central lines Radiation therapy to the chest Radiation therapy to the chestRadiation therapy uses high-powered radiation (such as x-rays or gamma rays), particles, or radioactive seeds to kill cancer cells.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Recent invasive heart procedures Systemic lupus erythematosus Systemic lupus erythematosusSystemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease. In this disease, the immune system of the body mistakenly attacks healthy tissue. It c...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Dermatomyositis Heart failureCardiac tamponade due to disease occurs in about 2 out of 10,000 people. Symptoms Symptoms may include:Anxiety, restlessness AnxietyStress is a feeling of emotional or physical tension. It can come from any event or thought that makes you feel frustrated, angry, or nervous. Stres...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Sharp chest pain that is felt in the neck, shoulder, back, or abdomen Chest painChest pain is discomfort or pain that you feel anywhere along the front of your body between your neck and upper abdomen.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Chest pain that gets worse with deep breathing or coughing Problems breathing Discomfort, sometimes relieved by sitting upright or leaning forward Fainting, lightheadedness FaintingFainting is a brief loss of consciousness due to a drop in blood flow to the brain. The episode most often lasts less than a couple of minutes and y...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Pale, gray, or blue skin Palpitations Rapid breathing Swelling of the legs or abdomen JaundiceOther symptoms that may occur with this disorder:Dizziness Drowsiness Weak or absent pulse Exams and Tests Echocardiogram is the test of choice to help make the diagnosis. This test may be done at the bedside in emergency cases. EchocardiogramAn echocardiogram is a test that uses sound waves to create pictures of the heart. The picture and information it produces is more detailed than a s...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article A physical exam may show:Blood pressure that falls when breathing deeply Rapid breathing Heart rate over 100 (normal is 60 to 100 beats per minute) Heart sounds are only faintly heard through a stethoscope Neck veins that may be bulging (distended) but the blood pressure is low Weak or absent peripheral pulses PeripheralPeripheral means "away from the center. " It refers to areas away from the center of the body or a body part. For example, the hands are peripheral ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Other tests may include:Chest CT or MRI of chest Chest CTA chest CT (computed tomography) scan is an imaging method that uses x-rays to create cross-sectional pictures of the chest and upper abdomen....ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article MRI of chestA chest MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan is an imaging test that uses powerful magnetic fields and radio waves to create pictures of the chest (...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Chest x-ray Chest x-rayA chest x-ray is an x-ray of the chest, lungs, heart, large arteries, ribs, and diaphragm.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Coronary angiography Coronary angiographyCoronary angiography is a procedure that uses a special dye (contrast material) and x-rays to see how blood flows through the arteries in your heart....ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article ECG ECGAn electrocardiogram (ECG) is a test that records the electrical activity of the heart.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Right heart catheterization Treatment Cardiac tamponade is an emergency condition that needs to be treated in the hospital.The fluid around the heart must be drained as quickly as possible. A procedure that uses a needle to remove fluid from the tissue that surrounds the heart will be done.A procedure that uses a needle to remov...Pericardiocentesis is a procedure that uses a needle to remove fluid from the pericardial sac. This is the tissue that surrounds the heart.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article A surgical procedure to cut and remove part of the covering of the heart may also be done. This is known as surgical pericardiectomy or pericardial window.Fluids are given to keep blood pressure normal until the fluid can be drained from around the heart. Medicines that increase blood pressure may also help keep the person alive until the fluid is drained.Oxygen may be given to help reduce the workload on the heart by decreasing tissue demands for blood flow.The cause of tamponade must be found and treated. Outlook (Prognosis) Death due to cardiac tamponade can occur quickly if the fluid or blood is not removed promptly from within the pericardium.The outcome is often good if the condition is treated promptly. However, tamponade may come back. Possible Complications Complications may include:Heart failure Heart failureHeart failure is a condition in which the heart is no longer able to pump oxygen-rich blood to the rest of the body efficiently. This causes symptom...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Pulmonary edema Pulmonary edemaPulmonary edema is an abnormal buildup of fluid in the lungs. This buildup of fluid leads to shortness of breath.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Bleeding Shock ShockShock is a life-threatening condition that occurs when the body is not getting enough blood flow. Lack of blood flow means the cells and organs do n...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Death When to Contact a Medical Professional Go to the emergency room or call the local emergency number (such as 911) if symptoms develop. Cardiac tamponade is an emergency condition that needs immediate medical attention. Prevention Many cases can't be prevented. Knowing your personal risk factors may help you get early diagnosis and treatment.Open ReferencesReferencesHoit BD, Oh JK. Pericardial diseases. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 68.LeWinter MM, Cremer PC, Klein AL. Pericardial diseases. In: Libby P, Bonow RO, Mann DL, Tomaselli, GF, Bhatt DL, Solomon SD, eds. Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine. 12th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 86.Mallemat HA, Tewelde SZ. Pericardiocentesis. In: Roberts JR, Custalow CB, Thomsen TW, eds. Roberts and Hedges' Clinical Procedures in Emergency Medicine and Acute Care. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 16.AllVideoImagesTogHeart - front view - illustration The external structures of the heart include the ventricles, atria, arteries and veins. Arteries carry blood away from the heart while veins carry blood into the heart. The vessels colored blue indicate the transport of blood with relatively low content of oxygen and high content of carbon dioxide. The vessels colored red indicate the transport of blood with relatively high content of oxygen and low content of carbon dioxide.Heart - front viewillustrationPericardium - illustration The pericardium is a thin double-layered sac which encloses the heart. Fluid is contained within the layers and lubricates the constantly rubbing surfaces.PericardiumillustrationCardiac tamponade - illustration Cardiac tamponade is a condition involving compression of the heart caused by blood or fluid accumulation in the space between the myocardium (the muscle of the heart) and the pericardium (the outer covering sac of the heart). Blood or fluid collects within the pericardium. This prevents the ventricles from expanding fully, so they cannot adequately fill or pump blood. Cardiac tamponade is an emergency condition that requires hospitalization. Cardiac tamponadeillustrationHeart - front view - illustration The external structures of the heart include the ventricles, atria, arteries and veins. Arteries carry blood away from the heart while veins carry blood into the heart. The vessels colored blue indicate the transport of blood with relatively low content of oxygen and high content of carbon dioxide. The vessels colored red indicate the transport of blood with relatively high content of oxygen and low content of carbon dioxide.Heart - front viewillustrationPericardium - illustration The pericardium is a thin double-layered sac which encloses the heart. Fluid is contained within the layers and lubricates the constantly rubbing surfaces.PericardiumillustrationCardiac tamponade - illustration Cardiac tamponade is a condition involving compression of the heart caused by blood or fluid accumulation in the space between the myocardium (the muscle of the heart) and the pericardium (the outer covering sac of the heart). Blood or fluid collects within the pericardium. This prevents the ventricles from expanding fully, so they cannot adequately fill or pump blood. Cardiac tamponade is an emergency condition that requires hospitalization. Cardiac tamponadeillustrationRelated Information Pericarditis(Condition)Aortic dissection(Condition)Heart attack(Condition)Acute kidney failure(Condition)Radiation therapy(Special Topic)Hypothyroidism(Condition)Systemic lupus erythematosus(Condition)Heart failure(Condition)Pulmonary edema(Condition)Heart attack and acute coronary syndrome - InDepth(In-Depth)Hypothyroidism - InDepth(In-Depth)Systemic lupus erythematosus - InDepth(In-Depth) Review Date: 4/18/2022 Reviewed By: Mary C. Mancini, MD, PhD, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Shreveport, LA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. 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Cardiac tamponadeTamponade; Pericardial tamponade; Pericarditis - tamponadeCardiac tamponade is pressure on the heart that occurs when blood or fluid builds up in the space between the heart muscle and the outer covering sac (pericardium) of the heart. Causes In this condition, blood or fluid collects in the sac surrounding the heart. This prevents the heart ventricles from expanding fully. The excess pressure from the fluid prevents the heart from working properly. As a result, the body does not get enough blood.Cardiac tamponade can occur due to:Dissecting aortic aneurysm (thoracic) Dissecting aortic aneurysmAortic dissection is a serious condition in which there is a tear in the wall of the major artery carrying blood out of the heart (aorta). As the te...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article End-stage lung cancer Heart attack (acute MI) Acute MIMost heart attacks are caused by a blood clot that blocks one of the coronary arteries. The coronary arteries bring blood and oxygen to the heart. ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Heart surgery Pericarditis caused by bacterial or viral infections PericarditisPericarditis is a condition in which the sac-like covering around the heart (pericardium) becomes inflamed.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Wounds to the heart Other possible causes include:Heart tumors Underactive thyroid gland Underactive thyroid glandHypothyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland does not make enough thyroid hormone. This condition is often called underactive thyroid....ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Kidney failure Kidney failureAcute kidney failure is the rapid (less than 2 days) loss of your kidneys' ability to remove waste and help balance fluids and electrolytes in your b...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Leukemia Placement of central lines Radiation therapy to the chest Radiation therapy to the chestRadiation therapy uses high-powered radiation (such as x-rays or gamma rays), particles, or radioactive seeds to kill cancer cells.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Recent invasive heart procedures Systemic lupus erythematosus Systemic lupus erythematosusSystemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease. In this disease, the immune system of the body mistakenly attacks healthy tissue. It c...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Dermatomyositis Heart failureCardiac tamponade due to disease occurs in about 2 out of 10,000 people. Symptoms Symptoms may include:Anxiety, restlessness AnxietyStress is a feeling of emotional or physical tension. It can come from any event or thought that makes you feel frustrated, angry, or nervous. Stres...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Sharp chest pain that is felt in the neck, shoulder, back, or abdomen Chest painChest pain is discomfort or pain that you feel anywhere along the front of your body between your neck and upper abdomen.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Chest pain that gets worse with deep breathing or coughing Problems breathing Discomfort, sometimes relieved by sitting upright or leaning forward Fainting, lightheadedness FaintingFainting is a brief loss of consciousness due to a drop in blood flow to the brain. The episode most often lasts less than a couple of minutes and y...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Pale, gray, or blue skin Palpitations Rapid breathing Swelling of the legs or abdomen JaundiceOther symptoms that may occur with this disorder:Dizziness Drowsiness Weak or absent pulse Exams and Tests Echocardiogram is the test of choice to help make the diagnosis. This test may be done at the bedside in emergency cases. EchocardiogramAn echocardiogram is a test that uses sound waves to create pictures of the heart. The picture and information it produces is more detailed than a s...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article A physical exam may show:Blood pressure that falls when breathing deeply Rapid breathing Heart rate over 100 (normal is 60 to 100 beats per minute) Heart sounds are only faintly heard through a stethoscope Neck veins that may be bulging (distended) but the blood pressure is low Weak or absent peripheral pulses PeripheralPeripheral means "away from the center. " It refers to areas away from the center of the body or a body part. For example, the hands are peripheral ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Other tests may include:Chest CT or MRI of chest Chest CTA chest CT (computed tomography) scan is an imaging method that uses x-rays to create cross-sectional pictures of the chest and upper abdomen....ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article MRI of chestA chest MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan is an imaging test that uses powerful magnetic fields and radio waves to create pictures of the chest (...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Chest x-ray Chest x-rayA chest x-ray is an x-ray of the chest, lungs, heart, large arteries, ribs, and diaphragm.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Coronary angiography Coronary angiographyCoronary angiography is a procedure that uses a special dye (contrast material) and x-rays to see how blood flows through the arteries in your heart....ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article ECG ECGAn electrocardiogram (ECG) is a test that records the electrical activity of the heart.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Right heart catheterization Treatment Cardiac tamponade is an emergency condition that needs to be treated in the hospital.The fluid around the heart must be drained as quickly as possible. A procedure that uses a needle to remove fluid from the tissue that surrounds the heart will be done.A procedure that uses a needle to remov...Pericardiocentesis is a procedure that uses a needle to remove fluid from the pericardial sac. This is the tissue that surrounds the heart.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article A surgical procedure to cut and remove part of the covering of the heart may also be done. This is known as surgical pericardiectomy or pericardial window.Fluids are given to keep blood pressure normal until the fluid can be drained from around the heart. Medicines that increase blood pressure may also help keep the person alive until the fluid is drained.Oxygen may be given to help reduce the workload on the heart by decreasing tissue demands for blood flow.The cause of tamponade must be found and treated. Outlook (Prognosis) Death due to cardiac tamponade can occur quickly if the fluid or blood is not removed promptly from within the pericardium.The outcome is often good if the condition is treated promptly. However, tamponade may come back. Possible Complications Complications may include:Heart failure Heart failureHeart failure is a condition in which the heart is no longer able to pump oxygen-rich blood to the rest of the body efficiently. This causes symptom...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Pulmonary edema Pulmonary edemaPulmonary edema is an abnormal buildup of fluid in the lungs. This buildup of fluid leads to shortness of breath.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Bleeding Shock ShockShock is a life-threatening condition that occurs when the body is not getting enough blood flow. Lack of blood flow means the cells and organs do n...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Death When to Contact a Medical Professional Go to the emergency room or call the local emergency number (such as 911) if symptoms develop. Cardiac tamponade is an emergency condition that needs immediate medical attention. Prevention Many cases can't be prevented. Knowing your personal risk factors may help you get early diagnosis and treatment.Open ReferencesReferencesHoit BD, Oh JK. Pericardial diseases. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 68.LeWinter MM, Cremer PC, Klein AL. Pericardial diseases. In: Libby P, Bonow RO, Mann DL, Tomaselli, GF, Bhatt DL, Solomon SD, eds. Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine. 12th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 86.Mallemat HA, Tewelde SZ. Pericardiocentesis. In: Roberts JR, Custalow CB, Thomsen TW, eds. Roberts and Hedges' Clinical Procedures in Emergency Medicine and Acute Care. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 16.