Beck's Triad indicates a diagnosis of pericardial tamponade. Which findings are included in Beck's Triad?

• A. Pericardial tamponade; narrowed pulse pressure, JVD, muffled heart sounds
• B. Cardiac tamponade; widened pulse pressure, tachycardia, fever
• C. Pulmonary hypertension; loud S2, edema
• D. Tension pneumothorax; tracheal deviation

Answer: (A)

Beck's Triad reflects the hemodynamic impact of fluid around the heart impairing its filling. In pericardial tamponade, the heart struggles to fill during diastole, so cardiac output drops, leading to low blood pressure. The back-up of pressure increases venous pressure, producing distended neck veins. The muffled heart sounds come from the fluid in the pericardial sac dampening auscultation. Narrowed pulse pressure often accompanies the hypotension seen in tamponade, further supporting the reduced stroke volume. This combination—low arterial pressure (often with a narrowed pulse pressure), jugular venous distension, and muffled heart sounds—best fits tamponade. Other choices point to different conditions (for example, signs more typical of pulmonary hypertension or tension pneumothorax) and don’t match this hemodynamic pattern.