A pt presents with engorged neck veins, BP 80/50 and pulse rate of 100 following blunt trauma to the chest : Diagnosis is:

Answer is C (Cardiac Temponade) Cardiac Tamponade should be suspected in any patient who has a rapid down hill course and exhibits the features of rising venous pressure and falling aerial pressure following blunt injury to the chest. The triad of cardiac tamponade : Rising systemic venous pressure Falling Aerial pressure Quiet hea (distant hea sounds) We are often given a set of findings and asked to distinguish between cardiac temponade and constrictive pericarditis. Few guidelines to answer these kind of questions : Guidelines : If the question talks about any of the following, mark your answer as 'Cardiac Temponade' Elevated J.V.P. with a prominent x-descent (y-descent is diminutive or negative) Electrical Alternans Pulses paradoxus: Hallmark of cardiac Temponade. If the question talks about any of these, mark your answer as 'Constrictive Pericarditis'. Elevated J.V.P. with a prominent y-descent (along with a prominent x-descent) Kussumaul's sign, which is rare in cardiac temponade Pericardial knock, which is rare in cardiac temponade