…The effusion itself may consist of serous fluid (transudate), protein rich fluid (exudate) to pure blood (exudate). Often pericardial effusion is detected randomly (for example…

…Genetic and miscellaneous conditions Eletrical alternans: an ECG sign of pericardial effusion and cardiac tamponade The pericardial space (cavity) always contains a small amount of…

…and the compliance of the pericardium. Rapid accumulation may cause tamponade with a relatively small volume, whereas a slowly enlarging effusion may reach a much…

…40 ms Left atrial enlargement Low voltage QRS < 5 mm in the limb leads or < 10 mm in the chest leads Pericardial effusion…

…the only absolute indication, and always urgent. A large pericardial effusion with symptoms despite medical treatment. Diagnostic drainage in suspected purulent pericarditis, tuberculosis or malignancy…

…Type A IMH may cause: Aortic regurgitation Haemopericardium or pericardial effusion Aortic rupture Proximal aortic complications Malperfusion and pulse deficits are less common in type…

…Findings suggesting pericardial effusion A large effusion may cause: Diminished heart sounds Disappearance of the friction rub Loss of the apical impulse Electrical alternans on…

…acute myocardial infarction. Clinical examination may reveal pericardial friction rub and the echocardiogram may show increased fluid in the pericardial cavity ( pericardial effusion ). Hemodynamic compromise…

…It is uncommon for chronic pericardial effusions to cause sudden cardiac arrest since these cases tend to be recognized and managed before circulatory collapse occurs…

…Hemodynamic effects of constrictive pericarditis Diastolic heart failure and right heart failure The rigid pericardium prevents all four heart chambers from dilating adequately during diastole…

…systolic dysfunction. Levels may also rise with: Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction Valvular heart disease Pulmonary hypertension Ischaemic heart disease Atrial arrhythmias Pericardial disease, including constriction…

…score for a person of the same age and sex CAC may also reveal extracoronary findings, including pericardial or aortic calcification, pericardial thickening, valvular calcification…

…Additionally, PR segment depression is a common and early electrocardiographic sign of acute pericarditis, reflecting pericardial involvement overlying the atria [4, 5]. Other Differential Diagnoses…

…Hypotension. Pericardial or pleuritic discomfort. Syncope. Restlessness. Jugular venous distension. Pulsus paradoxus. The pericardium may temporarily seal the rupture, producing subacute tamponade and cardiogenic shock…

…of myocardial infarction Pericarditis Dynamic recurrence of ST segment elevation is particularly concerning for a new infarction. A pericardial rub and poor response to nitroglycer

…respectively. Figure 1. Layers of the left ventricular wall, pericardium and ventricular cavity. The endocardium The endocardium lines the atria, ventricles and the heart valves…

…greater afterload and consequently increasing diastolic pressure), sarcomere structure, the composition of extracellular matrix (extracellular fibrosis reduces compliance), pericardial status, etc . Diastolic Dysfunction and Diastoli

…treated successfully in many instances. Cardiac tamponade : Tamponade in trauma patients is due to blood accumulation in the pericardial sack. This impairs atrial and ventricular…

…rare. They can occur anywhere in the heart or surrounding tissue. Tumors can be localized in the myocardium, pericardium, perivalvular (adjacent to the valves), etc…

…of cardiac arrest, focused echocardiography entails a swift evaluation of ventricular contractions and the status of the pericardium by an experienced clinician. The examination is…

…lobes is mostly dissipated in the tissue without generating significant reflections. However, when side lobes encounter strong reflectors (calcifications, pericardium, mechanical heart valves, wires, etc )…

…ultrasound image. This schematic image shows brighter colors when going from pericardium to epicardium and when going from endocardium to the ventricular cavity. Directing and…

…sound waves emitted in 1 to 2 milliseconds. These sound waves travel through the skin, chest, pericardium, myocardium, etc. In the transition between each medium …

…Figure 2). It is important to note that the apex of the heart is fixed to the diaphragm via pericardium and connective tissue. Therefore the…