Value of reference tracings in diagnosis and assessment of constrictive epi- and pericarditis.
Reference tracings are of great value in the diagnosis and assessment of constrictive pericarditis. The Q-h interval in the jugular venous pulse tracing is strongly correlated with the mean right atrial pressure (r=0.91). The left ventricular ejection time, the Q-A2 interval, and the Q-h interval are independent during atrial fibrillation from the preceding diastolic filling interval. This differentiates constrictive pericarditis from valvular heart disease. Cases with haemodynamically significant constrictive epicarditis are characterized by a rapid evolution, absence of pericardial calcification and absence of an early diastolic filling sound, a dominant a wave in the jugular venous pulse tracing, and a high early diastolic ventricular pressure. The haemodynamic behaviour is similar to that found in cases with myocardial fibrosis.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000503:physiopathology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004562:Electrocardiography; D004719:Endomyocardial Fibrosis / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006334:Heart Function Tests; D006349:Heart Valve Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D007702:Kinetocardiography; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010494:Pericarditis, Constrictive / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011674:Pulse; D014690:Venous Pressure