Current Echocardiographic Techniques for Evaluation of the Right Ventricle

The review is dedicated to the new echocardiographic techniques in the assessment of right ventricular (RV) function, such as twodimensional speckle tracking and determining the RV volume by a three-dimensional model. Subclinical changes in RV function are of great importance for the diagnosis and assessment of prognosis of multiple cardiovascular as well as non-cardiac pathologies. Two-dimensional speckle tracking allows to assess longitudinal strain of the RV myocardium and to detect pathological changes before their clinical manifestations. Three-dimensional echocardiography enables calculation of the RV ejection fraction, what was not possible before with the use of ultrasound. Currently, both methods are promising for a comprehensive assessment of RV function.