New developments in echocardiographic methods to assess right ventricular function in congenital heart disease

Evaluation of right ventricular (RV) function in patients with congenital heart disease (CHD) is an essential component of clinical management. The complex geometry of the RV makes this a challenging task and necessitates the use of alternative methods from those used to assess left ventricular (LV) function. Recent developments in echocardiographic techniques have enhanced our ability to accurately assess RV function. We focus this review on literature published since September 2003.

In this review we survey recent literature pertaining to advances in echocardiographic techniques used in assessing RV function. These new methods use two-dimensional echocardiography, Doppler echocardiography, tissue Doppler imaging (TDI), and strain rate imaging. Doppler techniques offer unique advantages for RV function in that they are independent of geometry and relatively independent of loading conditions.

Echocardiography can assess RV function in a reliable fashion in children and adults with congenital heart disease. Appropriate use of echocardiography can minimize the utilization of more invasive imaging modalities such as magnetic resonance imaging and can guide clinical decisions regarding the necessity of obtaining such imaging.