Cardiac Tamponade​

What is it?​

• Fluid or air fills the pericardial sac, compressing the heart and reducing its' ability to fill and effectively pump blood

Causes, Treatment, Diagnosis​

• Pericardial tamponade may be caused by:​
  • Trauma (e.g. Blunt force trauma)​
  • Other medical conditions (e.g. Immune disorders, MI, CHF)​
• Treatment is pericardiocentesis (decompression of the pericardial sac) ​
• Diagnosis of pericardial tamponade is found through diagnostic tests not available in the prehospital realm (Echocardiogram)​
  • Thus, this condition as a cause of arrest is essentially impossible to be identified in the pre-hospital environment 

Why Leave Early

• In short, you will NOT: Given the difficulty in identifying cardiac tamponade in the pre-hospital setting, focus on the basics, utilizing yoru excellent quality resuscitation via the Cardiac Arrest Medical Directive​
• In the setting of trauma, follow the Traumatic Cardiac Arrest medical directive 

In Summary

• Cardiac tamponade can occur when there is an accumulation of fluid surrounding the heart, causing it to pump ineffectively, which can result in cardaic arrest​
• Since it is impossible to find in the prehospital realm​
  • Follow your standard Medical Cardiac Arrest Medical Directive employing your excellent quality resuscitation​
  • In the setting of trauma, follow your Trauma Cardiac Arrest Medical Directive

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