Cardiac Tamponade

The heart pathology that I chose to do is cardiac tamponade, which is also called pericardial tamponade. This potentially fatal condition occurs most commonly in cases where the patient encounters a penetrating chest wound, though it is also possible for it to occur in instances of blunt chest trauma. It is also one of the two possible reasons someone might enter into obstructive shock, which can become fatal in a very short amount of time.

Cardiac tamponade occurs when the protective membrane around the heart, also known as the pericardium or the pericardial sac, fills with blood or fluid. Because of either a ruptured, torn or lacerated coronary artery or vein. Or as the result of an infection filling the pericardium with pus. As the fluid fills the pericardium, the heart is less able to fill with blood during each relaxation phase. Because of this the heart is unable to pump an adequate amount of blood and the patient has a decreased systemic blood flow, or cardiac output. (Care and transportation of the sick and injured)

Even a small amount of fluid in the pericardium can be fatal, but it is not uncommon for very large amounts of fluid to collect in the pericardium in cases where it is a chronic condition. The heart is unique in the fact that it has to stretch out for it to contract properly and pump blood out of the ventricles. This action often fails in cases of cardiac tamponade because it is often directly related to a decrease in blood returning to the heart because of blood loss or a blockage in the veins.

The symptoms of this condition are often subtle until the situation is dire. The signs and symptoms of this condition include distended or engorged jugular veins that are visible on both sides of the trachea, a narrowing pulse pressure (which is the difference between your systolic and diastolic blood pressure), and muffled heart sounds. These three symptoms are often called beck’s triad. An associated sign that is more often noticed is an altered...