OBJECTIVE We report a patient with low-pressure cardiac tamponade masquerading as sepsis and as the initial presentation of malignancy. A quick diagnosis was done by the intensivist performing a bedside ultrasound. BACKGROUND The diagnosis of low-pressure cardiac tamponade is a challenge because the classic physical signs of cardiac tamponade can be absent. It is made even more challenging wh...

An understanding of the basic principles of diastolic function is important in order to recognize diseases that may result in diastolic dysfunction and diastolic heart failure. Although uncommon, restrictive cardiomyopathy, constrictive pericarditis, and cardiac tamponade are among the disorders that may affect primarily diastolic function with preservation of systolic function. Diastolic heart...

Ivana JOVANOVIĆ Clinic for Cardiology, Clinical Center of Serbia, Višegradska 26, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia [email protected] SUMMARY Introduction Pericardial effusion can be a consequence of a number of pathological conditions, and as such it can cause impaired left ventricular filling followed by decreased cardiac output and blood pressure. This kind of hemodynamic compromise and its consequ...

The relationship of right atrial inversion, a previously undescribed cross-sectional echocardiographic sign, to the presence of cardiac tamponade was examined. We studied 127 patients with moderate or large pericardial effusions. Cardiac tamponade was present in 19 and absent in 104. Four patients with equivocal tamponade were excluded from analysis. Right atrial inversion was present in 19 of ...

We evaluated the recovery of cardiovascular function after transient cardiogenic shock. Cardiac tamponade was performed for 1 h and post-shock data were collected in 5 domestic large white female pigs (43 +/- 5 kg) for 6 h. The control group (N = 5) was observed for 6 h after 1 h of resting. During 1 h of cardiac tamponade, experimental animals evolved a low perfusion status with a higher lacta...

The relationship of right atrial inversion, a previously undescribed cross-sectional echocardiographic sign, to the presence of cardiac tamponade was examined. We studied 127 patients with moderate or large pericardial effusions. Cardiac tamponade was present in 19 and absent in 104. Four patients with equivocal tamponade were excluded from analysis. Right atrial inversion was present in 19 of ...

The hemodynamic effects of isoproterenol infusion, 0.5 mug/kg per min were evaluated in eight intact anesthetized dogs during cardiac tamponade. During tamponade, the mean of pericardial pressures was increased from - 1.5 to 12.5 mm Hg, and the mean of right atrial pressures was increased from 1 to 12.4 mm Hg. Mean cardiac output fell from 144.8 to 44.8 ml/kg per min (P < 0.001), and rose to 10...

RATIONALE Acute type A aortic dissection (AAAD) is a potentially fatal clinical crisis. Hemorrhagic cardiac tamponade due to the rupture of an ascending aortic root dissection is extremely dangerous and often lacks timely clinical evidence. We report sudden death in a patient diagnosed with AAAD and in whom critical care ultrasound highly indicated hemorrhagic cardiac tamponade. PRESENTING CO...

Cardiac tamponade is a poorly recognized complication of central venous catheterization associated with a high mortality. We present a case of fatal cardiac tamponade after intra- pericardial infusion of total parenteral nutrition in a patient who had two central venous catheters. We suggest that catheter tip position should always be confirmed before use of a catheter. Tamponade should be susp...

Backgrounds: Pericardial effusion, once common among dialysis patients, has become a rare entity in recent years. Due to its low incidence, its recognition has gained importance among internists, cardiologists, and nephrologists. It can be seen in pre-dialysis patients and in dialysis patients who are on hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis. Methods: A retrospective study was performed. The sub...