The Mechanism of Pulsus Paradoxus

Abstract

In their excellent study correlating the severity of asthmatic symptoms and degree of pulsus paradoxus (Pediatrics 61:46, January 1978), Dr. Galant and his colleagues state that pulsus paradoxus "is thought to be caused by hyperinflation of the lung with mediastinal stretching which produces an increased intrapulmonary pressure. This impedes venous return to the heart as well as leading to cardiac compression, consequently decreasing cardiac output." There is much experimental and clinical evidence favoring an alternative explanation.