Right ventricular function

The right ventricle (RV) has historically been given less importance than the left. There are important anatomical differences, including several intracardiac structures that may complicate echocardiographic assessments. The right heart is sensitive to changes in pressure and its function is affected by common interventions in critical care such as fluid loading and positive pressure ventilation. Right and left ventricular functions are inextricably linked, and both systolic and diastolic ventricular interdependence occur. The echocardiographic examination of the RV includes an assessment of size and dimensions, systolic and diastolic function, estimation of intracardiac and pulmonary pressures. These should be interpreted in the context of the clinical interventions that the patient was subjected to at the time of imaging, as well as left ventricular function. RV failure is associated with poorer outcomes in several disease states including congestive cardiac failure and acute myocardial infarction. In critically ill patients, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) has significant implications for right heart function, where there is a necessary balance between respiratory mechanics and haemodynamics.