The pericardium and pericardial disease

Abstract

Chapter 16 is a new chapter from earlier editions of Practical Perioperative Transoesophageal Echocardiography. It provides a short summary on the echocardiographic assessment of the normal pericardium and on pericardial disease. The characteristic TOE features of pericardial pathology (cysts, acute pericarditis, pericardial effusion, pericardial tamponade, and constrictive pericarditis) are reviewed. In particular, pericardial constriction is discussed in detail, including outlining the features that distinguish pericardial constriction from restrictive cardiomyopathy. Wherever possible, the spectral Doppler abnormalities associated with pericardial constriction and pericardial tamponade are discussed with reference to patients who are mechanically ventilated.