What is the clinical significance of hypotension, elevated JVP and muffled heart sounds?

Hypotension, elevated JVP and muffled heart sounds (Beck’s triad) is indicative of cardiac tamponade, which may also present with Kussmaul’s sign (an inspiratory increase in JVP) and pulsus paradoxus (an inspiratory fall in blood pressure).

Constrictive pericarditis can also present with elevated JVP, Kussmaul’s sign and pulsus paradoxus, however it typically causes more pain (which is often better sitting up and leaning forward) and a pericardial friction rub is often heard on auscultation.

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This post was written by Omar Rifai