Guide To The Causes Of Pericardial Tamponade

March 14, 2024

Pericardial tamponade, also referred to cardiac tamponade, happens when blood cannot get to the heart because there is fluid accumulation in the pericardium, the sac surrounding the heart, which typically only has a small amount of fluid. It causes compression of the heart. The fluid prevents friction as the heart beats. However, if there is too much fluid, it can make it difficult for the heart to expand the way it should. This extra pressure on the heart reduces the heart's ability to pump, resulting in a decrease of blood flowing through the body. This condition can happen quickly when caused by certain events. However, with certain illnesses or conditions, it can happen slowly over time, making it less obvious to doctors and the patient. Either way, this condition can be life-threatening and once diagnosed must be taken care of immediately.

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Blunt Trauma To The Chest

A reason for the sudden presentation of this condition is blunt trauma to the chest. This trauma could be caused by a car accident, stab wound, or workplace accident. If a patient experiences significant blunt force trauma to the chest, it can tear the wall of the heart causing blood to pool around the heart and in the pericardium. This will cause increased pressure on the heart and make it increasingly difficult for the heart to beat and provide blood flow throughout the body. This kind of instance is usually fatal, and the patient will not survive in time to get the surgery they need. However, if the trauma is not as severe, they survive during the transport to the hospital and the condition is diagnosed quickly, they have a great prognosis for survival and recovery.

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Pericarditis

Pericarditis is the inflammation of the pericardium. If they become inflamed, it can cause pressure on the heart and make it difficult for it to function properly. When the heart cannot beat sufficiently, it cannot provide the body with the oxygen and blood it needs to operate. It can be caused by an unknown reason, or due to a viral infection or irritation of the pericardium because of inflammation. Pericarditis can come on suddenly and resolve itself. Other cases can come on gradually and might need medication for treatment. There are patients who experience chronic pericarditis, which means it is long-lasting. It is sometimes difficult to discern the pain associated with this condition from having a heart attack. Therefore, it is important to seek medical treatment if any of the symptoms, like heart palpitations, sharp pain in the chest, leg swelling, cough, and shortness of breath, appear.

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Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism can have damaging effects on the heart and circulatory system. Not having enough thyroid hormones in the body can slow down the heart rate. If a patient's condition continues to accumulate fluid in the pericardium, it can become pericardial tamponade. This condition then becomes dangerous and must be treated. Taking medication to replace the body's natural thyroid hormones can help manage the increase of fluid around the heart. In some cases, the medication can reverse the accumulation of fluid, which will help reduce the chances of developing pericardial tamponade. As we know, this involves the fluid creating pressure on the pericardium, which reduces the function of the heart.

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Ruptured Aortic Aneurysm

Suffering a ruptured aortic aneurysm resulting in pericardial tamponade is not as common as the other causes on this list, but it is possible. If an aortic aneurysm ruptures, it can cause an influx of blood into the pericardium. This can cause pericardial tamponade because it will put pressure on the heart as the area becomes filled with the blood. In turn, this will prevent the heart from pumping and blood will not be able to move to the rest of the body. When this happens, organs will fail, and the patient will be in a critical crisis. Before rupturing, the aneurysm can actually protrude into the pericardium, causing an interruption of the operation of the heart. This condition is life-threatening and must be treated immediately. Without surgical intervention, a patient will not survive the aneurysm.

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Kidney Failure

Uremia, a condition that results in waste products being retained in the bloodstream, is due to, which will ultimately lead to kidney failure. Chronic kidney failure causes fluids to be retained in the body. This is because the job of the kidneys is to filter waste and excess fluids from the body. When they stop working properly, fluid builds up in many different places, and this can include the pericardium. If it causes an increase in the fluids surrounding the heart, it can place pressure on the heart, thus causing a problem with the heart's ability to pump blood properly. When the blood and oxygen cannot get to all the areas of the body, the body will be in distress. The condition needs to be managed and the underlying diseases addressed so pericardial tamponade can be resolved. However, if treatments are not administered, the condition can worsen and result in the patient having detrimental repercussions.

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