National Journal of Clinical Anatomy (Jan 2021)

A lesson on ‘Cardiac tamponade’ from the cadaver

  • Doris George Yohannan,
  • Thomas Varghese Attumalil,
  • Komalavallyamma Chandrakumari

DOI
https://doi.org/10.4103/njca.njca_7_21
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 10, no. 2
pp. 105 – 107

Abstract

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While dissecting the thorax, when the pericardium was opened, massive clots were seen, concealing the heart. The experience was used to teach about pericardial pericardial tamponade, which most probably caused the death of the “patient.” The concept of how the intrapericardial pressure builds up to compromise cardiac hemodynamics, how it can be clinically suspected, rapidly investigated, and managed as a medical emergency, was taught. This incident was an eye-opener that the time-tested cadaveric dissection should never be entirely replaced by alternatives though they may be wisely and effectively used to complement dissection.

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