title: Cardiac tamponade: atypical presentations after cardiac surgery.
abstract: We present two cases of cardiac tamponade presenting in the aftermath of cardiac surgery. We have briefly discussed the aetiology, presentation, diagnosis and management of the condition with emphasis on its atypical presentation in postoperative patients. A high index of suspicion and early access to echocardiography is necessary for prompt recognition and treatment of this life threatening emergency.
authors.affiliation: Dewsbury and District Hospital Halifax Road, Dewsbury WF13 4HS, UK.
authors.forename: Ravi
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kirti
authors.forename: Rangaprasad
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Karadi
mesh_terms: D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002305:Cardiac Tamponade / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D004452:Echocardiography; D004562:Electrocardiography; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D019918:Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008944:Mitral Valve Insufficiency / Q000601:surgery; D008946:Mitral Valve Stenosis / Q000601:surgery