Cardiac tamponade is a clinical condition where the pericardial effusion compromises the cardiac function; it may become fatal

Every physician should be able to recognise the clinical characteristics and signs of cardiac tamponade:

– Cardiac tamponade is a CLINICAL diagnosis
– Cardiac tamponade is NOT an echocardiographic diagnosis
– Pericardial effusion can often be seen with ultrasound, but the sonographic size is not
important
– The clinical presentation is of paramount importance

If therapeutic evacuation of the pericardial effusion (pericardiocentesis) stabilises the haemodynamics of the patient, the diagnosis

In cases with pericardial effusion different echocardiographic and clinical characteristics are observed

2D echocardiographic characteristics:

– Pericardial fluid collection
– Compression of the right-sided cavities in diastole (often not present)

Clinical characteristics:

– 5 mm wide pericardial fluid collection is within normal range
– Badly tolerated in LV hypertrophy
– Badly tolerated in postoperative cardiac surgery
– Badly tolerated in rapidly developing pericardial effusion

Video clips showing examples of pericardial effusion obtained in the parasternal long axis view

Notice:

– PLAX views
– Pericardial fluid collection (arrows)

Compression of the right-sided cavities in diastole is not obvious in these video clips

Video clips showing examples of pericardial effusion obtained in the parasternal short axis view

Notice:

– PSAX views
– Pericardial fluid collection (white arrows)

Compression of the right-sided cavities in diastole is not obvious in these video clips

Short axis view showing hypertrophic LV with preserved LV function

Notice:

– Myocardial wall thickness is increased
– LV dimensions are decreased

Long axis view showing a hypertrophic left ventricle

Notice:

– Myocardial wall thickness is increased
– LV dimensions are often decreased
– Left atrium is often enlarged
– LV function is variable

Image C shows severely reduced LV dysfunction

Subcostal 4 chamber view showing hypertrophic LV with preserved LV function

Notice:

– Myocardial wall thickness is increased
– LV dimensions are often decreased

Apical 4 chamber view showing a hypertrophic left ventricle

Notice:

– Myocardial wall thickness is increased
– LV dimensions are often decreased
– Left atrium is often enlarged
– LV function is variable

Image C shows severe reduced LV function

The arrows in image D point to concomitant pericardial effusion

– LV is enlarged
– LA is enlarged
– Anterior mitral leaflet opening is compromised; MSS increased
– The myocardial wall may appear thin
– Reduced contractility
– MAPSE is reduced

– LV is enlarged
– LA is enlarged
– Anterior mitral leaflet opening is compromised; MSS increased
– The myocardial wall may appear thin
– Reduced contractility