Ristic A y col. European Heart Journal 2014 - doi:10.1093/eurheartj/ehu217
"Prompt recognition of cardiac tamponade is critical since the underlying
haemodynamic disorder can lead to death if not resolved
by percutaneous or surgical drainage of the pericardium. Cardiac
tamponade is a condition caused by the compression of the heart
due to slow or rapid accumulation of fluid (exudate), pus, blood,
clots, or gas within the pericardial space resulting in impaired diastolic
filling and cardiac output due to increased intrapericardial
pressure"
http://m.eurheartj.oxfordjournals.org/content/early/2014/06/20/eurheartj.ehu217.full.pdf