Cardiac tamponade occurs when a pericardial effusion ... based on hypotension with a large pericardial effusion; however, echocardiography can be helpful and can show right ventricular early ...

Cardiac tamponade is an uncommon ... poor prognosis even with early diagnosis and prompt treatment. Emergency echocardiography and echo-guided pericardiocentesis are often performed.

Pericardial effusions are best diagnosed by echocardiography, which is validated to estimate the size and location, and determine if hemodynamic compromise is present causing cardiac tamponade.

The differential diagnoses of SVC syndrome include cardiac tamponade and right ventricular dysfunction. Dedicated cardiac imaging with echocardiography can distinguish between these diagnoses.