Hemodynamics of Pericardial Constriction: Role of Echocardiography and Cardiac Catheterization

David M. Harmon; Jae K. Oh

doi:10.14797/mdcvj.1781

Hemodynamics of Pericardial Constriction: Role of Echocardiography and Cardiac Catheterization

Methodist DeBakey Cardiovascular Journal

Volume 22 (2026): Issue 2

By: David M. Harmon and Jae K. Oh

Open Access

|Mar 2026

Abstract

Constrictive pericarditis is a condition of diastolic heart failure with unique hemodynamic manifestations. While potentially curable if treated appropriately, constrictive pericarditis remains a diagnostic challenge, particularly during early manifestation of disease when there are subtle clinical symptoms and when confounding comorbidities are present. In this focused review, we describe the characteristic and diagnostic hemodynamics of constrictive pericarditis as well as the utility of invasive (cardiac catheterization) and noninvasive (echocardiography) diagnostic testing for this complex disease.

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Articles in this issue

DOI: https://doi.org/10.14797/mdcvj.1781 | Journal eISSN: 1947-6108

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Language: English

Page range: 74 - 84

Submitted on: Jan 6, 2026

Accepted on: Jan 22, 2026

Published on: Mar 10, 2026

Published by: Houston Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center

In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services

Keywords:

pericardial disease,

constriction,

constrictive pericarditis,

echocardiography

© 2026 David M. Harmon, Jae K. Oh, published by Houston Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 License.

Volume 22 (2026): Issue 2