What is cardiac tamponade?

Accumulation of fluid in pericardium in quantity causing obstruction of inflow of blood to ventricles, most common causes are idiopathic pericarditis and neoplatic pericarditis. May result in bleeding into pericardial space after leakage (from aortic dissection, cardiac operations, trauma, tx of pt with pericarditis with anticoagulants) 3 principal features (Beck's triad: Hypotension, Soft heart sounds and jugular vein distention w/x descent and no y) Quantity of fluid to produce tamponade 200ml acute and >2000 chronic