Cardiac Tamponade - Causes, Symptoms, Treatment

Cardiac tamponade is a medical emergency in which blood or fluids fill the space between the sac that covers the heart and the heart muscle.

This places extreme pressure on the heart. The pressure prevents the heart from expanding fully and functioning properly. Hence the heart can't pump enough blood to the rest of the body, which leads to organ failure, shock, and even death.

"There are many causes for cardiac tamponade. It could be caused due to malignancies, especially breast cancer or lung cancer, infectious agents such as viruses, bacteria, or fungal infections, connective tissue diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, aortic aneurysm or dissection, and chronic kidney disease. It could also arise as a side effect from medical procedures such as radiation therapy, accidental perforation during cardiac catheterization, angiography, or post cardiovascular surgery," said Dr Kumar Kenchappa, Consultant, Interventional Cardiologist, Gleneagles Global Hospitals, Richmond Road, Bangalore

The signs & symptoms vary with the underlying cause and how fast the tamponade has developed.

- It may present sub acutely with anxiety, fatigue, altered mental status and edema.

- Patient can also experience shortness of breath, rapid heart rate and rapid breathing.

Cardiac tamponade often has three signs, commonly known as Beck's triad. They include:

- Low blood pressure and weak pulse

- Distended neck veins

- Rapid heartbeat combined with soft heart sounds

"Presence of these three symptoms helps the medical professional suspect the presence of cardiac tamponade. This is confirmed by medical tests such as ECG, Echocardiography, and Chest X-rays. Imaging tests like an MRI or CT scan can help the doctor get a more accurate idea of the condition and appropriately evaluate its severity," added Kenchappa.