Cardiac tamponade, also known as pericardial tamponade, is an emergency that occur when blood or fluid builds up in the space between the myocardium (the muscle of the heart) and the pericardium (the outer covering sac of the heart). Fluid that collects in the pericardial sac can exert enough pressure to prevent the heart from relaxing completely between beats. Usually, this fluid has accumulated rapidly, and the increase in pericardial pressure causes a sudden decrease in cardiac output. Severe pericardial fluid pressure can cause a drop in blood pressure, shock, abnormal heart rhythms, and death.

Cardiac tamponade related to trauma or HIV is more common in young adults. Cardiac tamponade can be caused by anything that inflames or injures the pericardium. Some common causes are pericarditis, chest trauma and viral or bacterial infection. In a patient with cardiac tamponade, the heart experiences reduced stroke volume. This results in decreased oxygenation. The patient may have a very rapid pulse, and symptoms such as chest pain, anxiety, and extreme discomfort can be observed in the patient. Read the rest of this entry →

Rheumatic fever is an inflammatory disease that may develop as a consequence of infection with group A streptococcus. Rheumatic fever is a complication of untreated strep throat. Rheumatic fever affects the joints, skin, heart, blood vessels, and brain.

Rheumatic fever can cause permanent damage to the heart that may result in serious harm to the heart valves and heart failure. Rheumatic fever can occur at any age but primarily affects children from 5 years old to 15 years old. It can also develop in younger children and adults. Recurring episodes of rheumatic fever most often affect people when they are about 25 to 35 years of age. Rheumatic fever tends to strike most often in cool, damp weather during the winter and early spring. Read the rest of this entry →

Riverside Methodist Hospital-Ohio Health, Columbus

3535 Olentangy River Road

Columbus, OH 43214

(614) 566-5000

Robinson Memorial Hospital, Ravenna, Ohio

6847 North Chestnut Street

Ravenna, OH 44266

(330) 297-0811

Salem Community Hospital, Salem, Ohio

1995 East State Street

Salem, OH 44460

(330) 332-1551

Samaritan Regional Health System, Ashland, Ohio

1025 Center Street

Ashland, OH 44805

(419) 289-0491

Southeastern Ohio Regional Medical Center, Cambridge

1341 North Clark Street

Cambridge, OH 43725

(740) 439-3561

Southern Ohio Medical Center, Portsmouth

1805 27th Street

Portsmouth, OH 45662

(740) 354-5000

Miami Valley Hospital, Dayton, Ohio

One Wyoming Street

Dayton, OH 45409

(937) 208-8000

Mount Carmel Health System, Columbus, Ohio

793 West State Street

Columbus, OH 43222

(614) 234-5000

Mount Carmel St. Ann’s, Westerville, Ohio

500 South Cleveland Avenue

Westerville, OH 43081

(614) 898-4000

Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, Ohio

700 Children’s Drive

Columbus , OH 43205

(614) 722-2000

Ohio State University Hospital East, Columbus

1492 East Broad Street

Columbus, OH 43205

(614) 257-3000

Ohio State University James Cancer Hospital, Columbus

370 West 9th Avenue

Columbus, OH 43210

(614) 293-8000