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Management of Cardiac Tamponade

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Abstract

Cardiac tamponade is a cardiovascular emergency that occurs when fluid accumulates in the intrapericardial space and impairs cardiac filling. Prompt recognition and diagnosis of cardiac tamponade using physical exam and bedside echocardiography is critical. Emergent drainage of the pericardial effusion by percutaneous needle pericardiocentesis is the mainstay of tamponade management. In certain cases, surgical drainage may be required. In this chapter, we review the pathophysiology and management of acute cardiac tamponade.

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Correspondence to Benjamin A. Olenchock .

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Transthoracic echocardiogram, subxiphoid view, demonstrating large circumferential pericardial effusion with RV diastolic collapse (AVI 7120 kb)

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Berg, D.D., Barsness, G.W., Olenchock, B.A. (2017). Management of Cardiac Tamponade. In: Hyzy, R. (eds) Evidence-Based Critical Care. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-43341-7_14

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-43341-7_14

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-43339-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-43341-7

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