Which symptom is commonly associated with cardiac tamponade?

Pulsus paradoxus is a well-recognized symptom of cardiac tamponade, which is characterized by a significant drop in blood pressure during inhalation. In cardiac tamponade, fluid accumulates in the pericardial sac, exerting pressure on the heart and hindering its ability to fill adequately. This condition leads to decreased stroke volume and, consequently, reduced blood pressure.

When a patient inhales, the intrathoracic pressure changes, which in a healthy individual should allow for greater venous return to the heart and an increase in cardiac output. However, in the presence of cardiac tamponade, the heart cannot accommodate this increase due to the external pressure from the fluid, leading to a paradoxical decrease in blood pressure, termed pulsus paradoxus. It is typically measured by observing the difference in blood pressure during inspiration and expiration.

Other symptoms associated with cardiac tamponade may include dyspnea, tachycardia, or muffled heart sounds, but pulsus paradoxus is particularly noteworthy as it provides a distinct clinical manifestation that aids in the diagnosis of this urgent condition.