Septal Shift for the Diagnosis of COnstrictive Pericarditis: The Impact of Inspiratory Effort Quantification on Deep Breathing Manoeuvres

Septal Shift for the Diagnosis of COnstrictive Pericarditis: The Impact of Inspiratory Effort Quantification on Deep Breathing Manoeuvres (SCOPED)

This study will evaluate the effect of deep breathing manoeuvres on inter ventricular interdependency physiology. By providing further insight in this basic physiology we want to add more comprehensive data in favor or not of constrictive pericarditis diagnostic criteria currently used in cardiovascular magnetic resonance.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Men and women between 18 and 80 years old
• Normal transthoracic echocardiogram if older than 41 years old
• Normal standardized history and physical examination
• Normal blood pressure (<130/80)
• Normal 12-lead ECG at rest.

Exclusion Criteria:

• No prior pulmonary or cardiac diseases
• Unexplained symptoms that could be related to a heart or pulmonary problems.
• Symptoms of or active cardiovascular or pulmonary problems
• Hepatic or kidney dysfunction
• Blood cell dyscrasia
• Cardiovascular risk factor (smoking, hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes)
• Obesity (BMI > 30)
• Pregnancy or pregnancy in the last year
• Cardiac congenital anomalies discovered during the cardiovascular magnetic resonance
• Current medication with cardiovascular side effects known (diuretics, beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers)
• Contraindication to cardiovascular magnetic resonance