Restrictive Cardiomyopathy vs Constrictive Pericarditis | USMLE Step 1, 2, 3

Restrictive Cardiomyopathy vs Constrictive Pericarditis | USMLE Step 1, Step 2 CK & Step 3 Review In this high-yield review, we compare restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM) and constrictive pericarditis (CP), connecting pathophysiology with clinical findings, diagnostic testing, hemodynamics, and management to help you prepare for USMLE Steps and other board exams. Learn how to distinguish stiff myocardium from a rigid pericardium using clinical clues, jugular venous pressure (JVP) waveforms, echocardiography, and cardiac catheterization. Topics covered include: • Definition and pathophysiology of restrictive cardiomyopathy vs constrictive pericarditis • Intrinsic myocardial stiffness vs external pericardial constraint • Common causes, including amyloidosis, sarcoidosis, hemochromatosis, cardiac surgery, radiation, and tuberculosis • Clinical findings of right-sided heart failure, elevated JVP, peripheral edema, and ascites • S3 heart sound vs early diastolic pericardial knock • Kussmaul sign and prominent x and y descents on JVP waveforms • Echocardiographic findings: restrictive filling, septal bounce, and ventricular interdependence • Tissue Doppler e′ and annulus reversus • Cardiac catheterization: dip-and-plateau (square-root sign) • Respiratory LV/RV pressure concordance in RCM vs discordance in CP • Diagnosis using echocardiography, cardiac MRI/CT, and catheterization • Disease-specific management of restrictive cardiomyopathy • Anti-inflammatory therapy for selected transient constriction and pericardiectomy for appropriate persistent constrictive pericarditis Please subscribe to USMLE Pump for more high-yield reviews! #USMLE #USMLEStep1 #USMLEStep2CK #USMLEStep3 #RestrictiveCardiomyopathy #ConstrictivePericarditis #Cardiomyopathy #Pericarditis #DiastolicDysfunction #KussmaulSign #JVP #Echocardiography #Cardiology #HeartFailure #USMLEPrep #PANCE #NCLEX #MedicalEducation #internalmedicine Disclaimer: This video is intended for educational and exam preparation purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical judgment, clinical guidelines, or individualized patient care. Medical information and recommendations may change as new evidence becomes available.