Below are the solutions to the Pericardial Tamponade Self-Assessment Questions:
- Infection, trauma (blunt or puncture), cardiac surgery, and renal failure are all causes of pericardial tamponade.
See the overview of pericardial tamponade portion of the video for the reasoning for this question. All of these factors can cause the fluid buildup in the pericardial cavity characteristic of pericardial tamponade by disturbing the delicate cardiac environment. - Buildup of excess fluid (blood, pus) in the pericardial cavity
Increased fluid buildup (due to the factors covered in question 1) causes increased pressure on both the atria and ventricles of the heart. This can cause physiological problems because contractile cells in the heart then must contract against this increased pressure. Their phenotype and function can be altered accordingly. - Any of the following are correct responses:
- Septum deviation into the left ventricle (decreased LV volume)
- Increased heart rate
- Decreased atrioventricular pressure gradient
- Increased atrial and ventricular pressures
- Decreased atrial and ventricular volumes
- Any other result mentioned in the video
See the pathophysiology of the disease section for specifics. These are all factors caused at least in part by the increased pressure of extra fluid buildup in the pericardial cavity. These problems can lead to bigger health issues as explained in the video.
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