title: Systolic time intervals in cardiac tamponade.
abstract: Systolic time intervals (STI) have been measured in three patients with cardiac tamponade. The left ventricular ejection time (LVET), the preejection period (PEP) and the ratio PEP/LVET deviated significantly from the normal values. All three parameters improved immediately after pericardiocentesis and aspiration. The total electromechanical systole changed to only a minor degree. Measurement of STI may be a valuable tool in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiac tamponade.
mesh_terms: D001794:Blood Pressure; D002305:Cardiac Tamponade / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010701:Phonocardiography; D013997:Time Factors