• S Jain, N Sharma, S Varma, A Rajwanshi, J S Verma, and B K Sharma.
• Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.
• Can J Cardiol. 1999 Jun 1; 15 (6): 671-5.

ObjectiveTo determine the profile of patients presenting to the medical emergency ward with cardiac tamponade.DesignRetrospective observational study.SettingTertiary care hospital in North India.PatientsThirty patients (19 men and 11 women) presenting to the medical emergency ward with cardiac tamponade from March 1, 1995 to March 31, 1997.Main ResultsThe mean age was 36.5+/-7.6 years for the men and 34+/-12.4 years for the women. Breathlessness, fever, cough, chest pain and easy fatigability were present in 97%, 90%, 70%, 57% and 37% of patients, respectively. Etiologically, tuberculosis accounted for 60%, malignant disease for 33% and hypothyroidism for 7% of cases of cardiac tamponade. Echocardiographically guided pericardiocentesis was carried out in all patients without any complications. Six patients underwent catheter pericardial drainage and, of these, four required pericardiostomy.ConclusionsTuberculosis ranked as the most common cause of cardiac tamponade in Northern India, followed by malignancy. Therapeutically, echocardiographically guided pericardiocentesis for cardiac tamponade is a safe and effective procedure. For those with recurrent pericardial effusions, catheter pericardial drainage is a safe option until the underlying cause can be treated or surgery planned.

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