A case of Effusive-Constrictive Chronic Pericarditis (and Pericardiectomy)

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Notwithstanding the constrictive pericarditis pathophysiology, tissue Doppler imaging of the mitral annulus does not show the septal-lateral inversion of the peak velocities expected in this pathology: lateral velocities are physiologically higher than septal (Figs 14-15). The transmitral flow velocity profile is as expected in a young patient with a prevalent peak E velocity determined by normal LV relaxation, as evident from the higher septal and lateral e’ velocities (Figs 14.-15). Mean LA pressure is probably normal with E/e’ ratio= 3.2. The end-diastolic pulmonary valve gradient is low (Fig. 11). The RV tissue Doppler velocities are normal.

M-mode echocardiogram of the left ventricle with mild posterior effusion
Figure 10, Parasternal long axis, LV M-mode
Continuous wave Doppler of pulmonary regurgitation
Figure 11. Continuous wave Doppler, pulmonary regurgitation
Pulsed Doppler mitral valve flow
Figure 12. Pulsed Doppler apical 4-chamber, mitral flow velocities
Pulsed Doppler pulmonary venous flow
Figure 13. Pulsed Doppler apical 4-chamber, right upper pulmonary venous flow velocities
Tissue Doppler velocities, septal mitral annulus
Figure 14. Tissue Doppler velocities, septal mitral annulus
Tissue Doppler velocities, lateral mitral annulus
Figure 15. Tissue Doppler velocities, lateral mitral annulus
Tissue Doppler velocities, lateral tricuspid annulus
Figure 16. Tissue Doppler velocities, lateral tricuspid annulus

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