Irreversible hypotension with subsequent cardiovascular collapse has been reported as a catastrophic complication of inappropriate pneumatic antishock garment (PASG) deflation. This study was undertaken to analyze the cardiodynamic response by which PASG deflation produces hypotension. Five normovolemic patients undergoing cardiac catheterization for atypical chest pain syndrome volunteered for this study. Serial measurements of right atrial, right ventricular, pulmonary artery, left ventricular, and aortic pressures were obtained with subjects supine at the following times: prior to inflation of the PASG; during PASG inflation at 100 mm Hg; and during rapid PASG deflation. Pulmonary and aortic flow velocities were recorded in two patients. The application of external pressure with PASG produced a significant increase in left and right heart pressures (P less than .05). Sudden PASG deflation produced significant transient hypotensive changes (P less than .01). When PASG deflation hemodynamics were compared to preinflation data, mean arterial pressure decreased 14 mm Hg (P less than .01); mean pulmonary pressure decreased 6 mm Hg (P less than .01); and mean right atrial and left ventricular end-diastolic pressures decreased 4 and 6 mm Hg, respectively (P less than .01). An analysis of right and left heart hemodynamic data suggests that the early hypotensive response associated with PASG deflation is consistent with a reduction in left ventricular afterload followed by a decrease in preload.