Right heart function and haemodynamics in pulmonary hypertension

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Pulmonary Hypertension Research

Background:

• Right ventricular dysfunction and failure are primary challenges in advanced pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH).
• Right heart function significantly impacts survival in PAH.
• There is increasing research interest in the right ventricle (RV) due to its critical role.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the challenges in assessing right heart function in pulmonary arterial hypertension.
• To discuss current and emerging methods for evaluating the right ventricle (RV).
• To explore the impact of PAH treatments on the RV and future therapeutic directions.

Main Methods:

• Review of current diagnostic modalities including echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR), and right heart catheterisation.
• Discussion of the effects of existing PAH treatments on the right ventricle (RV).
• Exploration of novel assessment techniques like pulmonary vascular impedance measurement.

Main Results:

• Right heart catheterisation remains the primary method for assessing right heart function.
• Current PAH treatments affect both the pulmonary vasculature and the right ventricle (RV).
• Advanced imaging like CMR is improving RV assessment.

Conclusions:

• Optimizing right ventricular function is a key future goal for improving outcomes in PAH.
• New assessment tools, including pulmonary vascular impedance and wider CMR use, will enhance understanding of the right heart.
• Further research into the right ventricle (RV) is crucial for advancing PAH patient care.