paradoxic pulse

par·a·dox·ic pulse

an exaggeration of the normal variation in the systemic arterial pulse volume with respiration, becoming weaker with inspiration and stronger with expiration; characteristic of cardiac tamponade, rare in constrictive pericarditis; so called because these changes are independent of changes in the cardiac rate as measured directly or by electrocardiogram.

Synonym(s): pulsus paradoxus, pulsus respiratione intermittens

paradoxic pulse

Pulsus paradoxicus Cardiology A ↓ of ≥ 10 mm Hg in systolic BP on inspiration, a finding which, like the Kussmaul sign–an abnormal ↑ instead of a ↓ in jugular venous pressure with inspiration, suggests cardiac tamponade–impaired diastolic filling of the heart due to ↑ intrapericardiac pressure Clinical Air hunger, cyanosis, visible distension of neck veins

par·a·dox·ic pulse

(par'ă-doks'ik pŭls)

A reversal of the normal variation in the pulse volume with respiration, the pulse becoming weaker with inspiration and stronger with expiration; characteristic of cardiac tamponade and rare in constrictive pericarditis. So called because these changes are independent of changes in the cardiac rate as measured directly or by electrocardiogram.
Synonym(s): pulsus paradoxus.