Cardiac tamponade is compression of the heart that occurs when blood or fluid builds up in the space between the myocardium (heart muscle) and the pericardium (outer covering sac of the heart).

Tamponade; Pericardial tamponade

In this condition, blood or fluid collects in the pericardium. This prevents the ventricles from expanding fully. The excess pressure from the fluid prevents the heart from functioning normally.

Cardiac tamponade can occur due to:

• Dissecting aortic aneurysm (thoracic)
• End-stage lung cancer
• Heart attack (acute MI)
• Heart surgery
• Pericarditis caused by bacterial or viral infections
• Wounds to the heart

Other potential causes include:

• Heart tumors
• Hypothyroidism
• Kidney failure
• Placement of central lines
• Radiation therapy to the chest
• Recent invasive heart procedures
• Recent open heart surgery
• Systemic lupus erythematosus

Cardiac tamponade occurs in approximately 2 out of 10,000 people.

Images

Cardiac tamponade

Heart, front view

Pericardium

Review Date: 05/17/2010
Reviewed By: A.D.A.M. Editorial Team: David Zieve, MD, MHA, and David R. Eltz. Previously reviewed by Shabir Bhimji, MD, PhD, Specializing in Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Midland, TX. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network (5/17/2010).

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