ABSTRACT
Echocardiography is used widely to assess the pericardium and extracardiac anatomical structures for evaluation of conditions such as pericardial effusion (PE). Spectral Doppler evaluation, in relation to respiratory changes, has given useful insights into the physiological consequences of these abnormalities and helped to confirm the presence of cardiac tamponade or differentiate between pericardial constriction and restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCMP). Finally, echocardiography has become extremely useful in aiding diagnostic pericardiocentesis and catheter drainage as well as in evaluating the results of surgical drainage and pericardectomy.
