Cardiac Tamponade Assessment (Beck Triad)
Identifies cardiac tamponade using clinical signs and echocardiographic features. Guides urgent pericardiocentesis.
Score interpretation
→ Monitor effusion on echo; serial echocardiograms; cardiology review; treat underlying cause (pericarditis, malignancy)
→ Urgent bedside echocardiogram; IV access + fluid bolus (cautious); cardiology/anaesthetics urgent review; prepare for pericardiocentesis; avoid diuretics
→ Emergency pericardiocentesis (echo-guided preferred); IV fluid bolus; 100% O2; avoid positive pressure ventilation until drained; resuscitative pericardiotomy in traumatic arrest; senior cardiologist/cardiothoracic team
Interpretation bands for the Cardiac Tamponade. Apply clinical judgement and local guidance.
References
Related
Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.
- Labetalol (IV — Hypertensive Emergency) · Combined Alpha-1 and Beta-Adrenergic Blocker
- Lidocaine IV (Cardiac Arrhythmia) · Antiarrhythmic
- Protamine Sulphate (Heparin Reversal) · Heparin Reversal / Cardiac Surgery
- Mavacamten · Cardiac myosin inhibitor
- Methotrexate (Dermatology — Psoriasis) · Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic / Immunosuppressant
- Labetalol (IV — Hypertensive Emergency) · Combined alpha and beta blocker
- Acute Heart Failure · ESC 2021 Heart Failure Guidelines; NICE NG106
- NSTEMI / Unstable Angina · ESC 2020 NSTEMI Guidelines; NICE NG185
- New-Onset Atrial Fibrillation · ESC 2020 AF Guidelines; NICE NG196
- Hypertensive Emergency · ESC/ESH 2018 Hypertension Guidelines; NICE NG136
- Bradycardia Management · Resuscitation Council UK ABCDE; ESC 2021 Pacing Guidelines
- Ventricular Tachycardia / Fibrillation · Resuscitation Council UK ACLS; ESC 2022 Ventricular Arrhythmia Guidelines
Decision support only — verify against a current formulary, NICE, or your local guideline before clinical use.