Cardiac Tamponade

Cardiac tamponade is a condition in which the heart is “strangled” by a buildup of fluid within the sac (the pericardium) that surrounds the heart. This sac normally contains a small amount of fluid which is thought to provide a lubricationg surface for the heart as it beats. Many conditions can cause an abnormal amount of fluid to accumulate. Blood can also collect in the pericardium. If the pressure caused by the fluid in the pericardial sac gets too high, it restricts the heart from filling up during its relaxation phase of the pumping cycle. When this happens, the heart is not an effective pump. This can result in shock (low blood pressure) or even death. Removing the fluid with a needle (pericardiocentesis) or surgery may be necessary.

cvml_0082i

©2024 Medmovie.com. All rights reserved. Medmovie.com creates and licenses medical illustrations and animations for educational use. Our goal is to increase your understanding of medical terminology and help communication between patients, caregiver and healthcare professionals. The content in the Media Library is for your information and education purposes only. The Media Library is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment for specific medical conditions.

Search

Related Topics

All Topics