Final answer:
Kussmaul's sign, an increase in jugular venous pressure on inspiration, is a clinical finding of constrictive pericarditis due to the impaired ability of the heart to expand within a rigid pericardium.
Step-by-step explanation:
One of the clinical findings of constrictive pericarditis is the presence of Kussmaul's sign, which is an increase in jugular venous pressure on inspiration. In a normal individual, the jugular venous pressure decreases on inspiration due to an increased right atrial capacity accommodating the increased venous return. However, in constrictive pericarditis, the rigid pericardium impairs the heart's ability to expand during inspiration, resulting in a paradoxical increase in jugular venous pressure. Other symptoms associated with constrictive pericarditis include difficulty breathing, edema, and ascites, but Kussmaul's sign is a notable finding that can aid in diagnosis.