Reverse Bernheim Effect

The reverse Bernheim effect occurs when there is right ventricular pressure and volume overload that results in the interventricular septum bulging toward the left ventricle causing left ventricular diastolic impairment.

This can cause symptoms of left heart failure and is actually due to right heart failure.

The Bernheim effect occurs when left heart failure and left ventricular hypertrophy causes the interventricular septum to bulge towards the right ventricle causing right heart failure that sometimes precedes left heart failure. This classically occurs in aortic valve stenosis.