Pulsus paradoxus Health Dictionary

A big fall in a person’s systolic BLOOD PRESSURE when he or she breathes in. It may occur in conditions such as constrictive PERICARDITIS and pericardial e?usion, when the normal pumping action of the heart is hindered. ASTHMA may also cause pulsus paradoxus, as can CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE (COPD).

an exaggerated fall in systolic blood pressure and pulse volume when the patient breathes in. It is seen in constrictive *pericarditis, pericardial effusion, and asthma.