HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Figures Only Full Text Full Text (PDF) CME Test (opens in a new window) Submit a response Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Restrepo, C. S. Articles by Klein, J. S. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Restrepo, C. S. Articles by Klein, J. S. Related Collections Cardiac Radiology Computed Tomography

Imaging Findings in Cardiac Tamponade with Emphasis on CT¹

¹ From the Department of Radiology, University of Texas Health Sciences Center, San Antonio (C.S.R.); the Department of Radiology, Fletcher Allen Health Care and University of Vermont, FAHC/MCHV Campus, Patrick 1, Room 117, 111 Colchester Ave, Burlington, VT 05401-1473 (D.F.L., J.A.L., J.S.K.); the Departments of Cardiology (E.V.) and Radiology (T.A.O., R.M.), Louisiana State University Health Science Center, New Orleans; the Department of Radiology, Ochsner Clinic Foundation, New Orleans (L.D.); the Department of Radiology, Duke University, Durham, NC (S.M.); and the Department of Radiology, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá (J.C.). Recipient of a Certificate of Merit award for an education exhibit at the 2004 RSNA Annual Meeting. Received January 10, 2006; revision requested March 22; final revision received May 15, 2007; accepted May 21. All authors have no financial relationships to disclose. Address correspondence to D.F.L. (e-mail: Diego.Lemos{at}vtmednet.org).

Cardiac tamponade is a life-threatening condition that results from slow or rapid heart compression secondary to accumulation of fluid, pus, blood, gas, or tissue within the pericardial cavity. This condition can be associated with multiple causes including trauma, inflammation, scarring, or neoplastic involvement of the pericardial space among others. The main pathophysiologic event leading to tamponade is an increase in intrapericardial pressure sufficient to compress the heart with resultant hemodynamic impairment, which leads to limited cardiac inflow, decreased stroke volume, and reduced blood pressure. These events result in diminished cardiac output, which manifests clinically as a distinctive form of cardiogenic shock. Although cardiac tamponade is a clinical diagnosis, imaging studies play an important role in assessment and possible therapeutic intervention. Computed tomographic (CT) findings associated with cardiac tamponade include pericardial effusion, usually large, with distention of the superior and inferior venae cavae; reflux of contrast material into the azygos vein and inferior vena cava; deformity and compression of the cardiac chambers and other intrapericardial structures; and angulation or bowing of the interventricular septum. Familiarity with the clinical and pathophysiologic features of cardiac tamponade and correlation with the associated CT findings are essential for early and accurate diagnosis.

© RSNA, 2007