WHAT WENT WRONG?
A large amount
of liquid accumulates in the sack around the heart (pericardium),
creating
pressure on the heart that reduces the filling of ventricles with blood. This
results in a
low volume of blood being pumped with each contraction. The accumulating
pressure
within the pericardium may be due to fluid, pus, or blood. The
end result is
decreased stroke volume and cardiac output.
The cause of
tamponade may be trauma, postoperative, post-MI, uremia, or
cancer. The
fluid may develop rapidly or over time, depending on cause. Tamponade
is a
life-threatening condition. The seriousness is related to the amount of
pressure
within the
heart and the resulting decrease in ventricular filling.
