Cardarelli's sign

Cardarelli's Sign is a clinical sign in medicine that is used to diagnose pericarditis, an inflammation of the pericardium, the sac-like covering of the heart. It is named after the Italian physician Nicola Cardarelli who first described it.

Definition

Cardarelli's Sign is defined as an increase in intensity of the heart sounds heard at the left lower sternal border when the patient leans forward and exhales fully. This is due to the closer proximity of the heart to the chest wall in this position, which allows for better transmission of sound.

Clinical Significance

Cardarelli's Sign is a useful clinical tool in the diagnosis of pericarditis. Pericarditis is a condition characterized by inflammation of the pericardium, which can result in chest pain and other symptoms. The presence of Cardarelli's Sign can help to confirm a diagnosis of pericarditis, particularly in cases where other symptoms are ambiguous or non-specific.

Limitations

While Cardarelli's Sign is a useful diagnostic tool, it is not definitive. Other conditions can also cause an increase in heart sounds, and the absence of Cardarelli's Sign does not rule out pericarditis. Therefore, it should be used in conjunction with other diagnostic tests and clinical findings.

See Also

• Pericarditis
• Nicola Cardarelli
• Clinical sign

References

Cardarelli's sign Resources
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