- Pulsus paradoxus - a decrease of >10mmHg on inspiration is a marker of instability
- Hypotension
- Muffled heart sounds
- Elevated JVP
Hypotension, muffled heart sounds and distended neck veins form the classical Beck’s triad. Patients may also complain of chest pain and/or shortness of breath. In the emergency setting they will likely be in extremis. Chronic causes will also present with associated symptoms such as a viral prodrome or autoimmune phenomenon [1].
