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Updated: Apr 15, 2026
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Morphological and Functional Assessment of the Right Ventricle Using 3D Echocardiography
Published on: October 28, 2020
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Right ventricular dysplasia: Right and left ventricular involvement morphometrically evaluated.
C A Beltrami1, N Finato, V D Mea
1Dipartimento di Ricerche Mediche e Morfologiche-Anatomia Patologica, Universitá degli Studi di Udine, Italy.
Summary
Right ventricular dysplasia (RVD) involves adipose tissue replacing heart muscle. This study reveals extensive fat infiltration in both ventricles, leading to heart failure in a donor heart transplant patient.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pathology
- Cardiac Morphology
Background:
- Right ventricular dysplasia (RVD) is a cardiac anomaly where adipose tissue replaces right ventricular myocardium.
- While primarily affecting the right ventricle, minor left ventricular abnormalities have been reported.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the morphometric distribution of adipose tissue in both ventricles in a case of unsuspected RVD.
- To elucidate the structural basis of heart failure in RVD.
Main Methods:
- Morphometric analysis of the donor heart.
- Evaluation of fat distribution and ventricular remodeling.
Main Results:
- Extensive, homogeneous adipose tissue replacement of the right ventricle.
- Significant adipose tissue infiltration in the left ventricle, predominantly at the apex.
- Cardiac remodeling characterized by right ventricular volume increase and myocyte elongation.
Conclusions:
- RVD can extensively affect both ventricles, presenting a structural basis for congestive heart failure.
- The findings highlight the importance of recognizing RVD in cardiac transplantation and understanding its pathological mechanisms.
