Pericarditis echocardiography

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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

Pericardial effusion secondary to pericarditis is seen on echocardiogram as a large hypoechoic region surrounding the heart. A swinging motion of the heart with each beat may also be noted in the setting of cardiac tamponade. It is this swinging motion that gives rise to electrical alternans.

Pericardial effusion and cardiac tamponade

In pericardial effusion, large hypoechoic regions are seen surrounding the heart with presence of oscillatory motion of heart.

The echocardiogram below demonstrates swinging motion of the heart in cardiac tamponade. <youtube v=U4xQ3-VRiNg/>

Echocardiography of heart with loculated pericardial effusion compressing the left ventricle. <youtube v=unnmmlCyyZM/>