Pathophysiology-pericardial tamponade
- ↑ intrapericardial pressure, compression of heart chambers, ↓ venous return → ↓ CO
- Diastolic pressures ↑ & equalize in all cardiac chambers → minimal flow of blood from RA to RV when TV opens → blunted y descent
- ↑ ventricular interdependence
- → pulsus paradoxus (pathologic exaggeration of nl physio) Inspiration
- → ↓ intrapericardial & RA pressures
- → ↑ venous return
- → ↑ RV size → septal shift to left.
- Also, ↑ pulmonary vascular compliance → ↓ pulm venous return.
- Result is ↓ LV filling → ↓ LV stroke volume & blood pressure & pulse pressure.