Right ventricular function assessment in cardiopulmonary disease

Awareness of the involvement of the right ventricle in both common and rare cardiovascular diseases has grown. Recent developments in echocardiography and electrocardiography have contributed to further insight into the pathophysiology of the right ventricle as well as its relation to the pulmonary circulation and the left ventricle. Because echocardiography is accessible, non-invasive, and inexpensive it is an ideal technique for the assessment of the right ventricle and can be used for screening patients at risk of right ventricular dysfunction as well as monitor therapeutic responses. Furthermore, advanced echocardiographic techniques such as 2-dimensional speckle-tracking imaging may add to a better understanding of right ventricular mechanics. Integrated application of echocardiographic and electrocardiographic techniques could provide further understanding into the different pathophysiological aspects of right ventricular function. These insights could be used to identify risk factors, prognostic factors and monitor response to therapy through serial assessment in patients at risk for right ventricular dysfunction and failure such as patients with pulmonary hypertension, heart failure and those undergoing cardiac surgery. Furthermore, a better understanding of the mechanisms that lead to right ventricular remodeling may aid to the development of right ventricular specific therapies that improve survival in patients with right ventricular dysfunction.