Chronic Constrictive Pericarditis in Association with End-Stage Renal Disease

Figure 2

Simultaneous left ventricular (LV) and right ventricular (RV) systolic pressures in a patient with constrictive pericarditis. There is a decrease in the LV pressure and a concomitant increase in the RV pressure during peak inspiration (arrow) during the four beats that are plotted of the respiratory cycle—also known as “pulses paradoxus.” Also, equalization of end-diastolic pressures is observed in both ventricles. Note the “square root sign” or “dip and plateau sign” of the left ventricular waveforms, which confirm the diagnosis of constrictive pericarditis. Exp, expiration; Insp, inspiration.