Cardiac Tamponade

This is a serious medical condition in which the excessive accumulation of  fluid and blood in the space between the sac that encases the heart and heart muscles( pericardial sac)

• The normal range of this pericardial fluid is between 5ml to 20ml.
• It places extreme pressure on the heart. This pressure prevents the heart ventricles from expanding fully and fully-functional

• Cardiac Tempnade is an EMERGENCY condition

Causes of cardiac tamponade?

• penetration of the pericardium layer 
• Accidental wounds in the mediastinum
• Accidental perforation during cardiac catheterization, Angiography, Insertion of the pacemaker.
• Accidental puncture during placement of central line 
• Ruptured Aortic Aneurysm
• Pericarditis
• Lupus disease(  An auto-immune disorder)
• Cancer that spread to the myocardial layers
• High level of radiation to the chest
• Hypothyroidism
• Myocardial infarction
• Renal failure

What are the symptoms of cardiac Tamponade?

• Chest pain spreading to the neck, shoulder,or back
• Hypotension
• Dyspnea
• Tachycardia
• loss of consciousness
• Dizziness
• swollen or bulging neck vein
• fatigue
• weakness
• Discomfort that relives after laying back or sitting

How is cardiac tamponade diagnosed?

• By physical examination
• Thorasic CT scan
• ECG 
• MRI 

 

Treatment of Cardiac Tamponade:- In this disease patient need to be hospitalized as soon as possible. And starting oxygen therapy as soon as possible

Cardiac Tamponade treatment is only done by surgery which is the following:-

• Pericardiocentesis
• Thoracotomy
• Fluid replacement

 nursing management of cardiac tamponade?

Because it is an emergency condition nurse should firstly perform the immediate care to the patient

• firstly placed the patient in the critical care unit for hemodynamic monitoring
• place a broad Gage intravenous cannula to provide prescribed IV fluid

Nursing diagnosis for cardiac Tamponade

• Decrease cardiac output R/T Decrease ventricular refilling 
• Risk of cardiogenic shock R/T decreased cardiac output 
• Postoperative chest pain R/T Thoracotomy 
• Activity Intolerance R/T Open cardiac surgery
• Anxiety /fear of death R/T cardiac procedure