12-29-2008, 04:09 PM
A 55-year-old man complains of 6 months of shortness
of breath. He has new dyspnea on exertion and threepillow
orthopnea. Lung auscultation reveals rales 2/3 bilaterally.
He has 2+ pitting lower extremity edema. Jugular
venous pressure is estimated to be 14 cmH20 measured at
a 45° angle. Chest radiograph reveals pulmonary infiltrates
and an enlarged cardiac silhouette. Electrocardiography
shows low-voltage in the precordial and limb leads.
An echocardiogram shows a dilated left ventricle, ejection
fraction of 20%, mild mitral regurgitation, and a small
pericardial effusion. Which finding on cardiac examination
would be consistent with this patient's diagnosis?
A. Absent S2
B. Narrow pulse pressure
C. Paradoxical splitting of S2 with inspiration
D. Pulsus bisferiens
of breath. He has new dyspnea on exertion and threepillow
orthopnea. Lung auscultation reveals rales 2/3 bilaterally.
He has 2+ pitting lower extremity edema. Jugular
venous pressure is estimated to be 14 cmH20 measured at
a 45° angle. Chest radiograph reveals pulmonary infiltrates
and an enlarged cardiac silhouette. Electrocardiography
shows low-voltage in the precordial and limb leads.
An echocardiogram shows a dilated left ventricle, ejection
fraction of 20%, mild mitral regurgitation, and a small
pericardial effusion. Which finding on cardiac examination
would be consistent with this patient's diagnosis?
A. Absent S2
B. Narrow pulse pressure
C. Paradoxical splitting of S2 with inspiration
D. Pulsus bisferiens