Superior vena cava Doppler: a non-invasive method for the diagnosis of pericardial disease.
Superior vena cava Doppler flow velocities were assessed in two patients presenting with cardiac tamponade. Abnormal Doppler flow patterns correlated with right atrial pressure abnormalities characteristic of tamponade and constriction. During tamponade diastolic superior vena cava flow was abolished, and only systolic flow occurred. After pericardiocentesis diastolic flow reappeared. In one patient dominant diastolic flow velocities after pericardiocentesis suggested residual constriction. The flow pattern returned to normal after pericardiectomy, with systolic velocity exceeding diastolic velocity. Serial studies in these patients suggest that Doppler evaluation of superior vena cava blood flow is a useful method for evaluating pericardial disease.
D000328:Adult; D002305:Cardiac Tamponade / Q000175:diagnosis*; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012212:Rheology; D014683:Vena Cava, Superior / Q000503:physiopathology*