Pericardial Effusion, Cardiac Tamponade, Echocardiographic Diagnosis and Treatment Options

Fluid accumulation between the visceral pericardium and parietal serous pericardium, usually an ultrafiltrate, is discussed in this chapter. The grades of pericardial effusion, the causes contributing to it, the hemodynamic changes caused by it, the different modes of echocardiogram aiding in its diagnosis, measurements, the associated findings, the symptoms and signs the patient presents with and the treatment options are the topics elaborated in this chapter. In the second part, cardiac tamponade is discussed. When a pericardial effusion becomes a cardiac tamponade and the reason for this distinction are discussed. The need for emergency treatment of cardiac tamponade is mentioned. The different substances that can occupy the pericardial space are elaborated.