Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 20, 2026

Morphological and Functional Assessment of the Right Ventricle Using 3D Echocardiography
Published on: October 28, 2020
Right ventricular dysfunction in chronic dilated cardiomyopathy and heart failure
Andreas Brieke1, David DeNofrio
1Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Tufts-New England Medical Center, Boston, MA 02111, USA.
Abstract:
In patients with advanced heart failure, the main focus has traditionally been placed on the functional assessment of the left ventricle. Therefore, the current body of literature examining the right ventricle and its influence on the pathophysiological processes in heart failure has been limited. Methods currently employed to assess the size and function of the right ventricle include: high frequency thermodilution, contrast ventriculography, radionuclide ventriculography, echocardiography, and magnetic resonance imaging; however, none of these techniques has proven to be a 'gold standard' for the assessment of right ventricular function. Nevertheless, when these methods are employed, right ventricular dysfunction has been shown to be a powerful predictor of reduced exercise capacity and survival. This relationship holds true for patients with heart failure secondary to either ischemic or non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy.
Related Concept Videos
Heart Failure II: Pathophysiology
Cardiomyopathy II: Dilated Cardiomyopathy
Mitral Regurgitation I: Introduction
Imbalances in Cardiac Output
CHF can occur due to the failure of either side of the heart. Left-side failure leads to pulmonary congestion—the right side continues to send blood...
Pathophysiology of Heart Failure
Cardiomyopathy V: Interprofessional Care
