title: Interpretation of cardiac pathophysiology from pressure waveform analysis: pericardial compressive hemodynamics, Part III.
abstract: Failure of right atrial pressure to normalize after pericardial pressure is relieved suggests persistent effusive-constrictive physiology, myocardial failure, or cardiomyopathy which may have indistinguishable hemodynamic pressure waveforms. Clinical characteristics, ancillary testing, and endomyocardial biopsy may be required to obtain a definite diagnosis in such cases. The hemodynamic waveforms obtained during pericardiocentesis provide insight into the pathophysiologic processes, producing symptoms of dyspnea in this interesting patient group.
authors.affiliation: Cardiology Division, St. Louis University Medical Center, MO.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Kern
authors.forename: F V
authors.initials: FV
authors.lastname: Aguirre
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D002305:Cardiac Tamponade / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D002313:Cardiomyopathy, Restrictive / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004452:Echocardiography; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D010494:Pericarditis, Constrictive / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy