Due to its widespread availability, echocardiography is used as the first-line imaging modality for the assessment of right ventricular size, function, and pressures. Two-dimensional echocardiography can easily obtain valuable quantitative information about right ventricular size and function. Measurements such as the tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion, right ventricular myocardial performance index, fractional area change, tissue Doppler-derived tricuspid lateral annular systolic velocity, global longitudinal strain and strain rate, and eccentricity index are the recommended parameters to be used for the routine evaluation of right ventricular function. Three-dimensional echocardiography and three-dimensional strain have now entered the clinical arena for a more precise right ventricular assessment. Echocardiography is also important to establish the causes of secondary pulmonary hypertension (group 2) by evaluating the various left heart conditions leading to the rise of right ventricular systolic pressures. Finally, echocardiography is probably the most accurate non-invasive imaging modality for the assessment of right ventricular pressure and is therefore an ideal tool for the evaluation and screening of pulmonary hypertension.
Utility of tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion normalized by right ventricular size indices in dogs with postcapillary pulmonary hypertension
