Echocardiography

Echocardiography is a valuable tool in the evaluation of patients with suspected or proven pericardial disease. It has the ability to evaluate the presence, size and the hemodynamic significance of a pericardial effusion. It is not accurate in assessing pericardial thickening. It can detect hemodynamic abnormalities typical of constrictive pericarditis. In addition, echocardiography permits assessment of chamber size and function, valve morphology and can be used to exclude intracardiac masses. It may also be used as an accurate guide for pericardiocentesis, when indicated.

The Doppler echo studies in our patient were completely normal, including chamber size and function and valve morphology and function. There was no evidence of pericardial thickening or pericardial effusion.