Echocardiogram for Constrictive vs Restrictive Pericarditis
Constrictive
Respirophasic variation (25–40%): inspir. → ↑ flow across TV and ↓ flow across MV e′ (tissue velocity) nl/↑ (>12 cm/sec) Expir. hepatic vein flow reversal Septal bounce in early diastole Normal wall thickness
Restrictive
<10% respirophasic variation Slower peak filling rate Longer time to peak filling rate e′ ↓ (<8 cm/sec; Se & Sp ~95%) Inspir. hepatic vein flow reversal Biatrial enlargement ± ↑ wall thickness