3.1.10 - Pericardial Disease

Summary

Key Learning Points

1. 1. Pericardial effusions may cause haemodynamic compromise if large or rapidly developing.

2. 2. Echocardiography is the most important clinical tool for assessing cardiac tamponade.

3. 3. Typical clinical signs of cardiac tamponade may be absent in post-cardiac surgery patients.

4. 4. Transoesophageal echocardiography is more sensitive than transthoracic echocardiography in post-cardiac surgical patients in the diagnosis of cardiac tamponade.

5. 5. Extreme caution should be taken prior to intubating or initiating positive pressure ventilation in patients with cardiac tamponade.