Massive hemopericardium can cause sudden death.
Triggering event:
(1) direct pericardial invasion of a mediastinal neoplasm
(2) dissecting aortic aneurysm
(3) syphilic aortic aneurysm
(4) blunt cardiac trauma
(5) rupture of a myocardial abscess
(6) coronary artery rupture
Pathophysiology:
(1) sudden hemorrhage into the pericardial space
(2) limited ability of the pericardial sac to expand
(3) cardiac tamponade with cardiogenic shock and pulmonary edema
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Specialty: Clinical Laboratory
