Abstract
The pericardial space usually contains up to 50 ml of serous fluid and the pressure in this space varies with changes in intrathoracic pressure during respiration, ranging between −5 cm and +5 cm H2O [1]. Typically, minor changes in volume and pressure are compensated for by pericardial compliance. However, rapid accumulation of even a small volume of fluid can lead to profound changes in pressure and tamponade. As the pressure in the pericardial space rises and near equalizes with the intracardiac pressure, ventricular filling is restricted, cardiac output is reduced, and hemodynamic instability ensues. This generally occurs when the intracardiac pressure reaches 15–20 mmHg [1].
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References
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Johal, G.S., Hooda, A., Masoomi, R., Kini, A. (2021). Pericardiocentesis and Balloon Pericardiotomy. In: Kini, A., Sharma, S.K. (eds) Practical Manual of Interventional Cardiology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-68538-6_33
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-68538-6_33
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