[The failing right ventricle]

Right-sided heart failure is a common disease that leads to increased morbidity and mortality. Despite this it is ill understood. Echocardiography is currently the primary mode for diagnosis and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion and fractional area change are good measurements to use for assessment. Volume management is central in treatment of both acute and chronic right-sided heart failure. In acute failure achieving effective diuresis is often more important than the addition of fluids. In the treatment of chronic heart failure, no strong evidence supports the use of RAAS-blockers, beta-blockers, aldosterone antagonists or digoxin. In the case of right-sided heart failure caused by pulmonary arterial hypertension vasodilator therapy may be of use, but not in cases of other forms of pulmonary hypertension.