The hemodynamics of cardiac tamponade and constrictive pericarditis

Cardiac tamponade in left ventricular dysfunction.

“…[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][13][14][15] The present study demonstrates distinctive hemodynamic features and echocardiographic manifestations of experimental cardiac tamponade in the presence of ischemic left ventricular dysfunction. The absence of pulsus paradoxus and the altered manner in which the cardiac chambers are compressed aid our understanding of the pathophysiology of cardiac tamponade and its clinical signs.…”

Pericardial Disease

“…[33][34][35][36] The volume in any cardiac chamber can only increase when there is an equal decrease in the volume in other chambers. Thus, venous return and atrial filling predominantly occur during ventricular systole as the ejection of blood out of the right and left ventricles lowers cardiac volume and allows blood to enter the atria.…”

“…1,36,56 The pathophysiological hallmark of pericardial constriction is equalization of the end-diastolic pressures in all 4 cardiac chambers. This occurs because the filling is determined by the limited pericardial volume, not the compliance of the chambers themselves.…”

“End-Stage” Constrictive Pericarditis—A Case Report

“…Once the ventricular diastolic filling reaches the limitations of the pericardial restraint, the pressure and volume in the cavity rise, filling ceases, and congestion occurs [15]. If the right heart chambers are predominantly constricted, there is naturally an engorgement of neck veins as shown in Figure 2, which is constantly engorged in 86% of patients with constrictive pericarditis.…”