Learning Cardiology

Q. Patient being evaluated for cause of ascites. Constrictive pericarditis or Restrictive cardiomyopathy? Simultaneous LV and RV pressure trace is being shown here. Answer: Here,  RV and LV discordance is present which is suggestive of constrictive pericarditis. RCM will have LV and RV concordance during respiration.

1. What is the diagnosis? 2. What is the name of this sign? Answer 1: Hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) Answers 2: Brockenbrough-Braunwald-Morrow sign Explanation: There is a decrease in pulse pressure and increase in left ventricular outflow tract gradient after the ventricular ectopic beat in HOCM patients. This phenomenon is known as Brockenbrough-Braunwald-Morrow phenomenon or sign.