I recognize a pericardial tamponade by these symptoms | Pericardial tamponade

I recognize a pericardial tamponade by these symptoms

The diagnosis of pericardial tamponade must be made as quickly as possible, since the clinical picture can be fatal within a short time and timely treatment can significantly alter the prognosis. Initial indications for the diagnosis are given by the typical symptoms and physical manifestations. Those affected often show severe chest pain, weakness, shortness of breath or even unconsciousness.

The palpable pulse on the wrist may be weak, barely present or irregular. Emergency diagnostic procedures for life-threatening heart diseases also include an ECG, a sonography of the heart, and early radiological imaging, for example by means of a CT scan or cardiac catheterization. The ECG can detect typical changes of a heart muscle damage and heart attack.

Sonography of the heart, the so-called “cardiac echo”, is also important for the diagnosis of pericardial tamponade. Here, even small effusions in the pericardium can be diagnosed. The functional limitations, the degree of filling of the heart chambers, the movement of the heart muscle and the amount of blood ejected can also be measured in the cardiac echo.

The cardiac echo can also be used therapeutically for monitoring and planning the puncture of the pericardium. The imaging of the blood flow and the blood vessels in the CT or catheter examination further allows an accurate diagnosis of the heart blood flow and also reveals a pericardial tamponade.