Search
pulsus paradoxus
- an exaggerated inspiratory fall of > 10 mm Hg in systolic blood pressure
- jugular venous pressure increases with inspiration
Etiology:
- pericardial tamponade
- pericardial effusion due to metastatic lung cancer or breast cancer
- constrictive pericarditis
- obstructive lung disease (asthma)
Laboratory:
- serum B-type natriuretic peptide (serum BNP) does not distinguish among potential etiologies as all are lom, normal or mininmally elevated
General
arterial pulse
abnormal finding (problem)
References
- Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 13th ed.
Companion Handbook, Isselbacher et al (eds), McGraw-Hill
Inc. NY, 1995, pg 326
- Medical Knowledge Self Assessment Program (MKSAP) 14,
American College of Physicians, Philadelphia 2006
- Medical Knowledge Self Assessment Program (MKSAP) 20
American College of Physicians, Philadelphia 2025
Radiology:
- echocardiogram to distinguish pericardial tamponade from constrictive pericarditis