A post operative cardiac surgery patient developed sudden hypotension, raised Central venous pressure, pulsus paradoxus at the 4th post operative hour .The most probable diagnosis is: (A) Excessive mediastinal bleeding, (B) Ventricular dysfunction, (C) Congestive cardiac failure, (D) Cardiac tamponade
Answer is D. Ref Harrison 19 th ed pg 1573-1574 Features of rising pressure , falling aerial pressure and pulsus paradoxus following surgery on the hea leads us to the diagnosis of cardiac tamponade.