The right ventricle: anatomy, physiology and functional assessment

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Cardiovascular Physiology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Right ventricular (RV) function is a key prognostic indicator in various cardiovascular diseases.
• Despite advances in cardiac assessment, evaluating RV performance in daily clinical practice remains difficult.
• The RV's complex geometry and low-impedance circulation make it susceptible to pressure overload and ventricular interactions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To elucidate the fundamental characteristics of RV anatomy, function, and failure.
• To present established and emerging tools for investigating RV performance.
• To critically discuss the clinical significance, advantages, and limitations of each assessment parameter.

Main Methods:

• Comprehensive literature review of RV anatomy, physiology, and pathology.
• Analysis of standard echocardiography, cardiac MRI, and CT techniques for RV assessment.
• Exploration of novel imaging modalities and biomarkers for RV function evaluation.

Main Results:

• Detailed description of RV structure and its unique functional properties.
• Overview of current diagnostic tools, highlighting their respective strengths and weaknesses.
• Discussion on the impact of loading conditions and interventricular interactions on RV performance.

Conclusions:

• Accurate assessment of RV function is vital for cardiovascular disease management.
• A multi-faceted approach integrating standard and novel evaluation tools is necessary for comprehensive RV analysis.
• Understanding RV physiology and pathology aids in improving patient outcomes and therapeutic strategies.