The Assessment of Pericardial Effusions

Cardiac Tamponade on Echocardiography

Overview

In healthy hearts, there is 15-50 mL of serous fluid located in the pericardial sac that serves as lubrication; this reduces friction on the epicardial surface and allows membranes to glide with each heart beat. Excess fluid accumulation in this space is called a pericardial effusion and can lead to a life-threatening complication called cardiac tamponade that we investigate with echocardiography.

Origin