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EchoBridge Pearl #1: M-Mode to Confirm RV Diastolic Collapse in Tamponade

  • Writer: Stephen Alerhand
    Stephen Alerhand
  • Jun 25
  • 1 min read

Right ventricular (RV) free wall collapse in the setting of a pericardial effusion is a classic echocardiographic sign of cardiac tamponade...but timing is critical.


Because M-mode has superior temporal resolution than B-mode imaging, it can better help determine whether RV collapse occurs during diastole (abnormal) or during systole (normal).


In the parasternal long-axis view, direct the M-mode cursor through the center of the RV free wall and tip of the anterior mitral valve leaflet to assess the timing of RV collapse relative to the cardiac cycle. Open mitral valve leaflets correspond to diastole. During that period, note whether the RV free wall is collapsing. The longer the duration of RV collapse during diastole, the more likely tamponade physiology is present.



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