Module 10 - Pericarditis, Effusions and Tamponade, Strain, Contrast Echo, Stress Echo

List some characteristic ECG findings with pericarditis.

• Sinus tachycardia

• PR depression or isoelectric

• ST segment elevation or isoelectric

• T wave upright or inverted

Complete this chart

Stage __ pericarditis has the same ECG as sinus rhythm.

Stage 4 pericarditis has the same ECG as sinus rhythm.

Explain Beck’s triad.

Beck’s triad = 3 signs associated with cardiac tamponade

• Jugular vein distension

• Muffled heart sounds

• Hypotension

List echo findings in cardiac tamponade.

• RA collapse

• RV collapse in diastole

• Septal bounce

• IVC plethora

• Respiratory variation

What is the purpose of a pericardiocentisis?

Drain pericardial effusion fluid for testing.

Describe the findings of this image.

Poor apical function (blue).

A patient is sent for a SE but is not able to exercise. How would the stress be induced?

Dobutamine.

A patient is sent for a SE but is not able to exercise and has unstable arrhythmias. How would the stress be induced?

Adenosine.

What echo views are taken for SE?

• Apicals

• PSLAX

• PSSAX at pap ms and apex

Your patient has WMA and arrythmias. Would you use 3D echo?

Yes - 3D would increase reproducibility and accuracy

Limitation: gated datasets are difficult in patients with arrhythmias.