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Pericarditis and Cardiac Tamponade are disorders that affect the space surrounding the pericardium (the sac that covers and protects the heart), and need to be treated immediately.

Pericarditis is an inflammation of the pericardium, whereas Cardiac Tamponade is a condition in which immense pressure builds up on the heart due to fluid accumulation in the sac region. This fluid buildup is called, Pericardial Effusion. Pericarditis is actually one of the causes for this fluid accumulation.

Causes: Both, Pericarditis and Cardiac Tamponade may be caused due to a number of reasons. Heart attack, heart surgery, bacterial and viral infections, end-stage lung cancer and kidney failure are just some of the reasons.
In order to determine the cause, in both cases, the doctor may order several tests like Chest CT scan, MRI of chest, Chest x-ray. Other test may also be ordered.

Very often the cause of Pericarditis remains unknown. These tests are conducted to determine the condition of the heart and the pericardium, and to check if there has been any damage to the heart muscles.
But, if the Pericarditis leads to complications of Cardiac Tamponade, it is important to ascertain the cause because treatment is administered depending on the cause of Cardiac Tamponade.

Treatment: Pericarditis does not require hospitalization and it can be cured with medicines, normally anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen. A mild case of Pericarditis tends to recover on its own, even without medicines.   

Only when Pericarditis gets complicated by fluid accumulation in the pericardium, leading to Cardiac Tamponade, hospitalization becomes essential. Cardiac Tamponade is a severe disorder which needs to be treated immediately. If the excess fluid is not removed immediately it could result in death.

Again, mild cases can be treated with medication, but severe cases would need surgery. The surgical procedure to treat Cardiac Tamponade is called Pericardiocentesis.

During Pericardiocentesis, the patient receives local anesthesia and the excess fluid is drained out using a surgical needle or a catheter tube. Ultrasound or fluoroscopy is used to guide the needle towards the sac of the hard. At times, the catheter may be left there so that the fluid can keep coming out for hours or even days.

Immediately after surgery, a chest x-ray may be taken to make sure that the lung has not been wounded during the procedure. The fluid is sent to the lab to be analyzed. The lab results throw light on the exact cause of the pericardial effusion.

Postoperative Care for Cardiac Tamponade

• Gently clean the area with soap and lukewarm water, without applying any kind of pressure.
• Vigorous activities, especially those that burden the chest area, are forbidden.
• Immediately report to the doctor if there are signs of infection, if pain persists even after medication, if redness or swelling increases, if there is excessive bleeding or discharge, cough, fever, chest pain, nausea, vomiting, dizziness or difficulty breathing.
• Reduce salt intake in order to lower water retention in the body.
• Factors that may increase complications include – obesity, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption and use of blood thinners. Patient may be advised to avoid oily food and saturated fat, or stop drinking and smoking
• Since Cardiac Tamponade is treated depending on the cause, any care plan must be followed only under a doctor’s guidance.

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