Role of Multimodal Cardiac Imaging in Pericardial Effusions and Tamponade

Pericardial effusion represents a common clinical entity encountered across diverse medical settings, with presentations ranging from incidental findings to life-threatening cardiac tamponade. The accurate diagnosis and management of pericardial effusion and its hemodynamically significant sequelae demand a comprehensive multimodality imaging approach. Echocardiography remains the cornerstone of initial evaluation, providing real-time assessment of effusion size, hemodynamic impact, and guidance for therapeutic interventions. This review synthesizes contemporary evidence from major cardiology societies to present a structured approach to the diagnosis and management of pericardial effusion and tamponade. We emphasize the pivotal role of echocardiography while integrating complementary modalities, including cardiac computed tomography and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. Key echocardiographic findings, Doppler parameters, and imaging-guided therapeutic strategies are discussed in detail, with attention to emerging techniques and evidence-based algorithms. Understanding the multimodality imaging approach is essential for optimizing patient outcomes in this potentially life-threatening condition.