Cardiac Tamponade and Myocardial Infarction: A Case Report

Abstract

In recent times, there has been a concerning rise in the incidence of sudden death among individuals in middle age. Predominantly, cardiovascular diseases emerge as the leading cause behind such untimely fatalities. Myocardial infarction and its subsequent complications stand out as the most frequently encountered scenarios in these tragic events. Despite being a relatively uncommon occurrence, cardiac tamponade represents one of the rare yet fatal complications that can ensue following a myocardial infarction. This condition manifests when the pericardial cavity becomes filled with either blood or blood clots, impeding the heart's normal functioning. Typically, patients experiencing cardiac tamponade are often reported to have succumbed to sudden death, with a preceding history of chest pain being a common indicator. The definitive diagnosis of cardiac tamponade usually occurs during post-mortem examinations. We consider the case of a 38-year-old man who was discovered unconscious at his residence and was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital. Subsequent autopsy findings unveiled the presence of both blood and blood clots within the pericardial cavity, in conjunction with a rupture in the right ventricle and occlusion of the left coronary artery. Histopathological analysis further confirmed the root cause of this tragic event as an acute myocardial infarction.