Final answer:
Cardiac tamponade can cause Pulseless Electrical Activity (PEA), a type of cardiac arrest characterized by the absence of a pulse despite electrical activity in the heart.
Step-by-step explanation:
Cardiac tamponade can be the cause of a condition called Pulseless Electrical Activity (PEA). PEA is a type of cardiac arrest characterized by the absence of a pulse despite the presence of electrical activity in the heart.
Cardiac tamponade occurs when excess fluid, usually blood, accumulates within the pericardial cavity and puts pressure on the heart, preventing it from fully relaxing and filling with blood.
This impairs the heart's ability to pump effectively, resulting in a decreased pulse and eventually leading to PEA.