Potential pitfalls in quantification of pericardial effusions by echocardiography.

AUTOR(ES)

D'Cruz, I

RESUMO

In the echocardiographic assessment of patients with pericardial effusions, the apparent width of the echo-free space between the left ventricular posterior wall and the parietal pericardium is commonly used to estimate the amount of pericardial fluid present. In 4 patients with pericardial effusions, we showed a distinct disparity between the widths of the posterior pericardial space at different levels of the left ventricular posterior wall. In 2 of them, a 'swinging heart' appearance was recorded when the ultrasoound beam was directed caudally, but not when its direction was cephalad or less caudad. It is suggested that the left ventricle should be scanned at all possible sites to minimise potential errors in estimating the amount of a pericardial effusion.

Documentos Relacionados

• Non-invasive quantification of aortic regurgitation by Doppler echocardiography.
• Rotational excursion of heart in massive pericardial effusion studied by phased-array echocardiography.
• Pericardial haemorrhage causing right atrial compression after cardiac surgery: role of transoesophageal echocardiography.
• Apex two dimensional echocardiography. Alternative approach to quantification of acute myocardial infarction.
• Evaluation of fetal arrhythmias by echocardiography.