Cardiac tamponade primarily affects LV diastolic filling by causing which change?

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Multiple Choice

Cardiac tamponade primarily affects LV diastolic filling by causing which change?

Explanation:
Tamponade raises pericardial pressure and externally constrains the heart during diastole. This prevents the ventricles from expanding normally, so LV diastolic filling is reduced. The result is lower LV preload and a smaller end-diastolic volume, which lowers stroke volume and cardiac output (often compensated by a faster heart rate). It’s not an increase in afterload or no change; the key effect is diminished filling due to the constrained intrapericardial space.

Tamponade raises pericardial pressure and externally constrains the heart during diastole. This prevents the ventricles from expanding normally, so LV diastolic filling is reduced. The result is lower LV preload and a smaller end-diastolic volume, which lowers stroke volume and cardiac output (often compensated by a faster heart rate). It’s not an increase in afterload or no change; the key effect is diminished filling due to the constrained intrapericardial space.

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