Description

• Pathological decrease in the pulse wave amplitude and systolic blood pressure > 10 mm Hg during inspiration
  • Decrease of intrathoracic pressure during inspiration → expansion of vena cava and right atrium → ↑ venous return → ↑ RV filling
  • ↓ Pericardial compliance (e.g., due pericardial rigidity in constrictive pericarditis) → ↑ bowing of the ventricular septum into the left ventricle → ↓ LV ejection volume → ↓ systolic blood pressure

Causes

• Constrictive pericarditis
• Cardiac tamponade
• Severe obstructive airway disease (asthma, COPD)
• Obstructive sleep apnea
• Croup