Cardiac tamponade: A rare cause of mortality

This report describes two cases of death due to cardiac tamponade secondary to Aortic Dissection and Blunt traumatic cardiac rupture of right ventricle. Cardiac tamponade is the accumulation of pericardial fluid, blood, pus, or air within the pericardial space that creates an increase in intra-pericardial pressure, restricting cardiac filling and decreasing cardiac output. Cardiac tamponade is a cardiac emergency and can be fatal if it is not quickly diagnosed and treated promptly.

Initial diagnosis of cardiac tamponade can be challenging, as there are several differential diagnoses, including tension pneumothorax and acute heart failure. The mortality rate is extremely high. Rapid prehospital transportation, general treatment of shock, a higher index of suspicion and prompt surgical intervention can save a life. Proper protocols in hospitals can be made to diagnose this emergency.