title: Calculating the respiratory flow velocity fluctuations in pericardial diseases.
abstract: An excessive respiratory fluctuation (RTFV) in transmitral early diastolic velocity E is a pivotal Doppler echocardiographic sign of haemodynamic compromise, in constrictive pericardial diseases. RTFV is expressed as a percentage and 25% is considered a threshold value. Unfortunately there is no unanimity in calculating RTFV. Sometimes it is expressed as a percentage of expiratory E velocity, while others of inspiratory E velocity. This disparity has led to gross misinterpretations in medical literature. Here we emphasize the importance of a rational procedure calculating RTFV and we propose the appropriate mathematical model.
authors.forename: Eftychios
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Siniorakis
authors.forename: Spyridon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Arvanitakis
authors.forename: Elias
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Zarreas
authors.forename: Dimitris
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Barlagiannis
authors.forename: Nikos
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Skandalakis
authors.forename: Constantinos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Karidis
mesh_terms: D015150:Echocardiography, Doppler / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D010496:Pericardium / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D015656:Respiratory Mechanics / Q000502:physiology