Acute cardiac tamponade: anticipate the complication.

Acute cardiac tamponade (ACT) is a serious complication following cardiac surgery. ACT occurs as a result of post-operative bleeding in the first five to seven days following the operative procedure. Although the incidence of ACT is relatively low, the consequences include cardiac compromise and even death. This article includes a review of the pathophysiology, assessment, prevention, signs, diagnosis, and management strategies for patients who develop ACT The knowledge gleaned from this article will enable the critical care nurse to anticipate and prevent this life-threatening complication and, thus, optimize outcomes for this complex surgical population.