Progression of pericardial effusion can lead to cardiac compression. A pericardial effusion is a collection of fluid in the pericardium due to infection, tumour, renal failure, idiopathic pericarditis, etc. The symptoms and signs associated with the collection of fluid that affects the volume of blood returned to the heart and the output of the heart can be referred to as cardiac tamponade.
Depending on the rate of growth of fluid in the pericardial cavity, there can be acute or chronic cardiac tamponade. The typical clinical picture is one of acute circulatory collapse, with a drop in arterial pressure, a decrease in pulse pressure and even shock. Chronic cardiac tamponade has atypical symptoms and is characterised by increased venous pressure in the body circulation, such as jugular venous anger and odd veins. Treatment for cardiac pressure blockage includes pericardial puncture and fluid aspiration and pericardial opening and drainage.