[The jugular pulse in constrictive pericarditis. Correlations between hemodynamics and external recordings].

The contours and chronologic changes of the jugular pulse curve have been studied in relation with 15 cases of constrictive pericarditis and compared with 17 cases of normal jugulogram. The diastolic venous collapse was found in 8 of 15 cases only. On the contrary, the pulse contour was normal in three cases, while the haemodynamic results were intensely abnormal. Inversely, some tracings with a diastolic venous collapse did not correspond to pericardial construction. More specific signs for cardiac restriction were looked for on the side of chronologic changes. The method of synchronous tracings makes it possible to measure the Q-Y, S2-Y and S2-V intervals. A significant correlation was established between the values of the Q-Y and S2-Y intervals and the mean right atrial pressure. By comparison with normal jugular vein tracings, each interval was given three zones of value (normal, intermediate, pathological). One may thus determine that pericardial constriction is severe when a minimum of two intervals was pathological, the third one having an intermediate value. Pericardial constriction was moderate when two parameters were pathological and the third normal, or when one parameter only was pathological, the other two having intermediate values. In all other cases, there was no pericardial constriction, whatever the contour of the jugular venous curve.