Pericardial effusion physical examination

Pericardial effusion Microchapters
Home
Patient Information
Overview
Historical Perspective
Classification
Pathophysiology
Causes
Differentiating Pericardial effusion from other Diseases
Epidemiology and Demographics
Risk Factors
Screening
Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
Diagnosis
Diagnostic Study of Choice
History and Symptoms
Physical Examination
Laboratory Findings
Electrocardiogram
Chest X Ray
Echocardiography and Ultrasound
CT scan
MRI
Other Imaging Findings
Other Diagnostic Studies
Cardiac Catheterization
Treatment
Medical Therapy
Interventions
Surgery
Primary Prevention
Secondary Prevention
Pericardial Window
Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy
Future or Investigational Therapies
Case Studies
Pericardial effusion physical examination On the Web
Most recent articles
Most cited articles
Review articles
CME Programs
Powerpoint slides
Google Images
American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Pericardial effusion physical examination All Images X-rays Echo & Ultrasound CT Images MRI
Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov
US National Guidelines Clearinghouse
NICE Guidance
FDA on Pericardial effusion physical examination
CDC on Pericardial effusion physical examination
Pericardial effusion physical examination in the news
Blogs on Pericardial effusion physical examination
Directions to Hospitals Treating Type page name here
Risk calculators and risk factors for Pericardial effusion physical examination

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor-In-Chief: Varun Kumar, M.B.B.S.; Lakshmi Gopalakrishnan, M.B.B.S.

Overview

The vital signs of a patient with small pericardial effusion are often normal. Fever suggests an underlying infectious or inflammatory cause, and the presence of a purulent effusion must be ruled out.

Physical examination

Vitals: Tachycardia, pulsus paradoxus and hypotension(in cardiac tamponade)

Neck: Jugular venous distension with a prominent Y descent and Kussmaul's sign

Chest: Pleural dullness, decreased breath sounds, and distant heart sounds

Abdomen: Hepatomegaly and ascites in chronic cases

Extremities:Ankle edema in chronic cases