…tamponade The pericardial space (cavity) always contains a small amount of serous fluid which acts as a lubricant that prevents friction during ventricular contraction and…

…diseases: effusion and tamponade A long series of conditions can affect the pericardium (pericardium). The most common of these are acute pericarditis (perimyocarditis), constrictive pericarditis…

…in more severe attacks, and a systemic steroid given early [2,3]. Grading Grade the severity by the most serious finding. A patient does not…

…shock, serious arrhythmia or acute heart failure. Routine opening of a persistently occluded infarct related artery in a stable and asymptomatic patient is by contrast…

…Pneumonia, heart failure, pulmonary embolism, pneumothorax and acute coronary syndrome must be actively considered [1]. Do the following early: 1. Assess airway, work of breathing…

Myocardial ischemia and infarction Definition and pathophysiology In acute coronary syndrome (ACS) with multivessel coronary artery disease (MVD), revascularization may be directed exclusively at the…

Indications Acute myocardial infarction. Unstable coronary artery disease. Stable angina pectoris. Secondary prophylaxis to prevent recurrence of cerebrovascular diseases, such as: Transient ischemic attacks (TIA…

Procedurer The most serious transfusion accidents rarely stem from laboratory errors but from the wrong blood being given to the wrong patient — a mislabelled tube…

Echocardiography Endocarditis Endocarditis implies that a bacterial infection engages the heart valves and this is a serious condition. The focus of infection on the flap…

…present for the condition to be serious [1]. Intramuscular adrenaline (epinephrine) is the first line treatment and must be given early when anaphylaxis is suspected…