Hemopericardium
| Hemopericardium | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Specialty | Emergency medicine  |
Hemopericardium refers to blood in the pericardial sac of the heart. It is clinically similar to a pericardial effusion, and, depending on the volume and rapidity with which it develops, may cause cardiac tamponade.[1]
The condition can be caused by full-thickness
Hemopericardium can be diagnosed with a chest X-ray or a chest ultrasound, and is most commonly treated with pericardiocentesis.[6] While hemopericardium itself is not deadly, it can lead to cardiac tamponade, a condition that is fatal if left untreated.[6]
Symptoms and signs
Symptoms of hemopericardium often include difficulty breathing, abnormally rapid breathing, and fatigue, each of which can be a sign of a serious medical condition not limited to hemopericardium.[6] In many cases, patients also report feeling chest pressure and have an abnormally elevated heart rate.[7]
Cause
Hemopericardium has been reported to result from various afflictions including
Mechanism
Hemopericardium is a condition that affects the
There have also been cases reported in which hemopericardium was noted as an initial manifestation of essential thrombocythemia.[7]
Diagnosis
Hemopericardium can be diagnosed using
Treatment
When discovered, hemopericardium is usually treated by
While hemopericardium itself is not fatal, it may lead to
Research
Studies have shown that hemopericardium can occur spontaneously in people with
References
- ^ "Forensic Pathology".
- PMID 10882282.
- PMID 17355673.
- PMID 17711963.
- ^ Gray's Anatomy, 1902 ed.[page needed]
- ^ PMID 19561832.
- ^ PMID 21318136.
- ^ Cardiac Tamponade at eMedicine
External links
