Cardiac tamponade
Alternate Names : Tamponade, Pericardial tamponade
Definition
Cardiac tamponade is the compression of the heart that occurs when blood or fluid builds up in the space between the myocardium (the muscle of the heart) and the pericardium (the outer covering sac of the heart).
Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
In this condition, blood or fluid collects within the pericardium. This prevents the ventricles from expanding fully. They cannot fill enough or pump blood. Cardiac tamponade can occur due to:
Other potential causes include: Cardiac tamponade occurs in approximately 2 out of 10,000 people.
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