McConnell’s sign seen in

McConnell’s sign seen in


[A] HOCM
[B] Mitral Valve Prolapse
[C] Pulmonary Embolism
[D] Cardiac Tamponade



What is McConnell’s sign?


McConnell’s sign is defined as right ventricular free wall akinesis with sparing of the apex.

Typically this looks as if the apex of the RV is a trampoline bouncing up and down while the rest of the RV remains still. This finding is not sensitive, but in a small study was specific for an acute PE.


Most common symptom of a Pulmonary Embolism


[A] Chest Pain
[B] Dyspnea
[C] Giddiness
[D] Loss of Conciousness



What is the “gold” standard of reference for confirming or refuting a diagnosis of Pulmonary Embolism?


[A] CT Scan
[B] MRI
[C] Ventilation-perfusion scan
[D] Pulmonary angiography



  • Pulmonary angiography is the “gold” standard of reference for confirming or refuting a diagnosis of PE
  • Spiral CT with contrast is the most widely used modality for diagnosis of pulmonary embolism

Most widely used modality for diagnosis of pulmonary embolism


[A] CT Scan
[B] MRI
[C] Ventilation-perfusion scan
[D] Pulmonary angiography



Most common abnormal findings in ECG in Pulmonary Embolism?


[A] Sinus Tachycardia
[B] PSVT
[C] Atrial Fibrillation
[D] S1Q3T3



What is the Mechanism of McConnell’s sign in Pulmonary Embolism?


Supported by Cardiac magnetic resonance

McConnell’s sign is proposed to be caused by

  • Substantial preload reduction
  • Reflex hyperadrenergic up-regulation
  • Markedly augmented left ventricle septal intramyocardial deformations, such that tethered right ventricle insertion point fibers are acted upon via the hyperdynamic left ventricle apex with paradoxical right ventricle apical passive deformation

What is Reverse McConnell’s sign?


Hypokinetic right ventricular apex with hyperkinesis of the RV free wall, (reverse McConnell’s sign) seen in rare cases of * Acute Pulmonary Embolism*


What is the sensitivity and specificity of McConnell’s sign?


  • Sensitivity – 22%
  • High specificity – 97%

McConnell’s sign presence in cases other than Acute Pulmonary Embolism


McConnell’s sign can be seen in some cases -right ventricular ischemia without acute PE


What are the electrocardiographic changes indicative of RV strain?


Electrocardiographic changes indicative of RV strain include

  • Precordial T-wave inversion (TWI)
  • QR pattern in lead V1
  • S1Q3T3 pattern
  • Incomplete or complete RBBB

    Subscribe Medicine Question BankWhatsApp Channel

    FREE Updates, MCQs & Questions For Doctors & Medical Students

      Medicine Question Bank
      Enable Notifications OK No thanks