Pseudo cardiac tamponade in the setting of excess pericardial fat

Cardiovasc Ultrasound. 2009 Jan 22:7:3. doi: 10.1186/1476-7120-7-3.

Abstract

Cardiac tamponade is the phenomenon of hemodynamic compromise caused by a pericardial effusion. Following a myocardial infarction, the most common causes of pericardial fluid include early pericarditis, Dressler's syndrome, and hemopericardium secondary to a free wall rupture. On transthoracic echocardiography, pericardial fluid appears as an echo-free space in between the visceral and parietal layers of the pericardium. Pericardial fat has a similar appearance on echocardiography and it may be difficult to discern the two entities. We present a case of a post-MI patient demonstrating pseudo tamponade physiology in the setting of excessive pericardial fat.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adipose Tissue / diagnostic imaging*
  • Adipose Tissue / surgery
  • Aged
  • Cardiac Tamponade / diagnostic imaging*
  • Coronary Artery Bypass
  • Coronary Artery Disease / diagnostic imaging
  • Coronary Artery Disease / surgery
  • Diagnostic Errors*
  • Echocardiography*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Pericardium / diagnostic imaging*
  • Pericardium / surgery