A 56-year-old male presents to his physician for a checkup. Physical exam reveals edema, hepatomegaly, and muffled heart sounds. Which of the following is a concern?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The clinical presentation of edema, hepatomegaly, and muffled heart sounds is suggestive of cardiac tamponade, which is a medical emergency. The accumulation of fluid in the pericardial sac puts pressure on the heart, impeding its function, and can result in serious complications, such as heart failure and cardiac arrest. Immediate medical attention is required to drain the fluid and relieve the tamponade. Exudate, an abnormal buildup of fluid with high protein content in the tissues or cavities of the body, is a possible cause of edema but is less likely to cause muffled heart sounds and hepatomegaly. Aneurysm, an abnormal bulge or ballooning of a blood vessel, may cause symptoms such as pain or rupture but is not typically associated with the clinical signs in this case. Pulsus paradoxus, an abnormal drop in blood pressure during inhalation, may be seen in some cases of cardiac tamponade, but it is not a primary concern in the context of the presented scenario.

A 56-Year-Old Male Presents to His Physician for a Checkup